#libema open

[watchingtennis]

I’m watching the Libema Open final and British commentator was just like “I never expected Alex De Minaur to reach the top 10. And then I thought it would only be temporary. But in this form he might just stay there.”

Excuse me. That’s my son you’re disrespecting.

[daily-dutch]

Tim van Rijthoven of The Netherlands celebrates after winning the Men's Singles Finale match of the Libéma Open against Daniil Medvedev at the Autotron on June 12, 2022 in Rosmalen, The Netherlands (Photos by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

[alcarusse]

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[stateofsport211]

's-Hertogenbosch (250) R1: Zizou Bergs [LL] def. Tim van Rijthoven [WC] 6-4, 6-3 Match Stats

📸 Eurosport FR

Tim had a brief moment in the second set as he broke early in hopes to set the tone of the second set, but he was unable to capitalize on it on serve, which Zizou saw as an opportunity on return to be more aggressive. As a result, Zizou passed Tim more from the baseline, which could not help under pressure despite the latter's aggressive start, where he also had a break point yesterday in the first set thanks to his forehands. This way, Zizou generated 5 break poinrs and converted 80% of them compared to Tim's 50% break point conversion of his 2 break points, one of which came earlier in the first set. This is a possible sign that Tim needs more matchplay, but he is steadily getting there as soon as he stays in his progress range this way.

Besides, Zizou also appeared more solid despite relying more on his first serves, which turned out to be effective as he backed it up with his aggression. Even if Tim fired 4 aces, Zizou successfully landed 70% of his first serves, winning 77% of his first serve points, which helped him to recover some deficits along the way. On the other hand, Tim won 3% more points from his second serves at 50% despite double-faulting thrice, but this could not carry him enough in this match due to his rushed follow-ups in pressing moments.

In the second round, Zizou will face first seed Alex de Minaur, fresh from his Roland Garros quarterfinal run, who received a bye to the second round. This could be an intriguing test against an in-form player to see how Zizou's offensive went, especially on how they constructed their points. This could be a highlight-reel match at their best, dynamic thanks to their pacing, with their execution remain crucial in determining the outcome. Another exciting match to watch/follow for the round! In Tim's regard, to get more matchplay to appear sharper, but he withdrew from the Ilkley Challenger qualification rounds. Alas, here's to hoping Tim staying healthy and play his best tennis like how he broke out in the 2022 grass season (and to some extent, the clay season as he qualified for the Roland Garros then).

[stateofsport211]

📸 🎥 Eurosport FR

More than 24 hours after it began, added by another rain delay midway the previous match...

The match between wild card Tim van Rijthoven and lucky loser Zizou Bergs continued as both players tried to find their separate footing in this match. The former had a decent start to the match as he held his serves 1-0 after being several points down, followed by a break of serve (2-0) after Zizou's backhand pass fail generated his one-point lead, followed by a net exchange that was concluded in the Belgian's backhand error to create his break point. However, Tim could not strengthen his position as a misfired forehand (which was fired too long) created Zizou's break point before a +1 forehand error converted it (2-1).

Subsequently, Zizou leveled the play to 2-2, but Tim's forehand errors afterward could not help from the start of the said game, followed by a +1 forehand error midway, to Zizou's break point creation before it was converted straight away to 3-2. Zizou's serves recovered the one-point deficit he previously had before holding his serves to 4-2. Three games later, Zizou took advantage of Tim's previous errors as he fired a forehand pass to generate his match point, which was converted due to Tim's forehand that was fired too long, sealing the second set 6-3 in favor of the former to keep the party going as he advanced to the second round.

[stateofsport211]

📸 Eurosport FR

After the start of the match was also interrupted by rain, the comeback of wild card Tim van Rijthoven, who was sidelined for around more than a year due to injuries, ranging from elbow until back spasm earlier after his Australian Open 2023 qualifying campaign got cut short finally took place, where he faced lucky loser Zizou Bergs, who was defeated by Tristan Schoolkate 6-2, 6-3 in the final qualifying round yesterday. This match could deliver in various forms, but this set came down to their match sharpness.

Playing as if he never left, Tim almost smoothly held his service game to 1-0 thanks to his solid service game, conceding just one point before firing a forehand winner to set his one-point lead (1-0* 0-15), following it up through another forehand winner to generate his earliest break point of this match (1-0* 30-40). Despite this clean ballstriking, Zizou successfully rediscovered his serves and held to 1-1 by the end of this game.

Since then, the condition became windy, making it tougher for players to adjust their service game. This was the case when Tim was 2 points down in the fifth game, but he still managed to put some second serves in to finally hold his serves to 3-2. However, in the next two games, Tim had an unforced error starting that game before Zizou's pass set himself 2 points ahead. Somehow, Tim had to face a break point several points later due to another error, where a forehand error caused the break of serve to 4-3.

Subsequently, Zizou held his serves to 5-3, and Tim also followed suit to 5-4. The next service game saw Zizou earning his opportunity to serve for the first set, which he successfully did despite double-faulting on the initial set point to take the first set 6-4.

This match will be continued tomorrow due to continuous rain, starting 11am local time. However, Tim-Zizou's second set will commence in the fourth timeslot of the Center Court according to the Order of Play.

[consumerlive]

#WTA 2023: Katie Boulter snatches Nottingham for maiden title

It was an all-British and all-Russian finals last weekend as Katie Boulter won her maiden WTA singles title in Nottingham, while Ekaterina Alexandrova upended top seed and World Number 14 Veronika Kudermetova in a three-set thriller for the Libema Open championship. Boulter only took 73 minutes to demolish compatriot Jodie Burrage, 6-3, 6-3 with a better service game — as she basically dominated…

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[daily-dutch]

Tallon Griekspoor of The Netherlands during the Libéma Open 2023 Men's Singles Semi Final match against Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland at the Autotron on June 17, 2023 in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. (Photo by Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images)