Dutch wildcard Tim Van Rijthoven delivered a stunning performance in the Libema Open final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch as he ousted first-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-1 to win his maiden ATP title Van Rijthoven, who was ranked outside the top-200 and received a wildcard into the Libema Open, enjoyed a dream week at the Dutch grass court event.
En route to winning his maiden ATP title, Van Rijthoven beat three top-10 players (Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz). “This is new for me, it’s going to take some time getting used to,” Van Rijthoven said.
“What a dream this week. I would like to thank my team for staying humble this week, doing the normal things, not making this thing any bigger than it was. I would like to thank all of you. Your support was incredible this week”.
Van Rijthoven dominated Medvedev
Van Rijthoven claimed the first break of the match in the second game but his lead was short-lived as Medvedev broke back in the third game. However, blowing an early break didn’t impact Van Rijthoven, who broke Medvedev again in the 10th game, when the Russian was serving to stay in the first set.
After winning the last two games of the first set, Van Rijthoven also won the first five games of the second set. Van Rijthoven missed out on his first match point in the sixth game but routinely served out for the match in the seventh game.
“I’d like to show huge respect to Daniil,” Van Rijthoven said of Medvedev. “You’re a great player, I’ve watched you on TV many times, and now to play you myself, that was already a dream.
Playing against you was amazing and it was an honour to share the court with you, and you are for sure going to win many more titles. I’ll see you hopefully in the future many more times on the court”.
Source: Tennis World USA