Tim van Rijthoven continues to surprise at Wimbledon. The 25-year-old Dutchman was too strong for Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, the number 26 in the world, in the third round on Friday without losing a set.
Van Rijthoven had already convinced in the first two rounds against the Argentinian Federico Delbonis and the American Reilly Opelka and he continued that line against Basilashvili, who did not take a set. It became 6-4, 6-3 and 6-4.
Van Rijthoven’s achievements are exceptional. The Grand Slam debutant, who recently caused a sensation by winning the Rosmalen grass tournament, is the first Dutch man since Sjeng Schalken in 2004 to reach the eighth finals of Wimbledon. Kiki Bertens was the last Dutch person to achieve this in 2018.
In addition, Van Rijthoven is the ninth Dutch man in the fourth round of the third Grand Slam tournament of the season after Tom Okker, Mark Koevermans, Paul Haarhuis, Jan Siemerink, Richard Krajicek, Jacco Eltingh, John van Lottum and Schalken.
In the battle for a place in the quarterfinals, Van Rijthoven may be waiting for the ultimate test. There is a good chance that he will meet twenty-time Grand Slam winner and defending champion Novak Djokovic. Djokovic must first deal with compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic.
Tim van Rijthoven once again achieved a good level.
Tim van Rijthoven once again achieved a good level.
Photo: Getty Images
Van Rijthoven serves strong against Basilashvili
After his victories over Delbonis and Opelka, Van Rijthoven also showed a strong performance against Basilashvili. The number 104 in the world served strongly and was a lot more precise than his Georgian opponent, who struggled to serve and regularly made drop-offs.
In the first set it was tied at 4-4, then a long ninth game followed. Van Rijthoven placed a break in it, after which he won the set on his own serve. In the second set, two early breaks made the difference.
Basilashvili’s resistance seemed broken. Van Rijthoven continued stoically, occasionally got the audience on the benches with nice points and immediately went through his opponent’s service at the start of the third set.
After that, the Dutchman experienced a lesser phase with more errors, but he recovered and decided to break the match by Basilashvili again at 5-4.
For Nikoloz Basilashvili, dark clouds gathered over Wimbledon.
For Nikoloz Basilashvili, dark clouds gathered over Wimbledon.
Photo: Reuters
