The top two Dutch tennis players, Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp, have both claimed major scalps in the second round of the Canadian Open.
Griekspoor, who turned 30 last month, put a wretched season behind him to knock out the world number three, top seed and French Open champion Alexander Zverev in three sets.
Zverev appeared to have overcome an early wobble when he rescued a set point before taking the first set on a tie-break.
But Griekspoor hit straight back to take a 4-0 lead in the second set, going on to win 6-2, before breaking the German twice in the decider to win 6-4.
“This is one of my most special wins,” Griekspoor said on court after the match. “There were times this year when I almost threw in the towel.”
Van de Zandschulp matched his achievement as he overcame blustery conditions to see off the Russian number four seed, Daniil Medvedev, in straight sets.
Multiple breaks
In an opening set that featured six breaks of serve, the 30-year-old Dutchman prevailed 6-3. The players broke each other twice in the second before Van de Zandschulp won the tie-break 7-5 with a sublime pass on his second match point.
VAN DE ZANDSCHULP MEDVEDEV! #ZiggoSport #ATP1000 #OBN26 pic.twitter.com/pZauCKqfH8
— Ziggo Sport (@ZiggoSport) August 6, 2026
“It was difficult for me and Daniil to play this evening and I’m happy that I got over the line in the end,” Van de Zandschulp said.
The results leave the draw wide open after world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic opted to sit out the tournament, while the number two player Carlos Alcaraz is recovering from a wrist injury.
Griekspoor will face the Italian Matteo Arnaldi, who knocked him out of this year’s French Open, in the round of 32, while Van de Zandschulp takes on Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
Both players are also likely to rise in the ATP rankings from their current positions of 69th for Griekspoor and 70th for Van de Zandschulp as a result of their wins.
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