{"id":31868,"date":"2025-03-10T03:05:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T03:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=31868"},"modified":"2025-03-10T03:05:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T03:05:28","slug":"botic-van-de-zandschulp-picks-toughest-match-after-victories-over-rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic-and-carlos-alcaraz-%f0%9f%87%b3%f0%9f%87%b1%f0%9f%8e%be","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=31868","title":{"rendered":"Botic van de Zandschulp picks toughest match after victories over Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf1\ud83c\udfbe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Botic van de Zandschulp clinched back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025 after a three-set win over Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells Open.<\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic<\/strong>\u00a0succumbed to a three-set defeat in his opening round of Indian Wells on Saturday (March 8). It was again\u00a0Botic van de Zandschulp<\/strong>\u00a0who did the damage.<\/p>\n

With his 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win, Van de Zandschulp has registered his career\u2019s eighth top 10 victory. He has built a reputation for being a giant killer, having defeated three top players in a short span of time.<\/p>\n

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The Dutchman was the reason behind\u00a0R<\/strong><\/a>afael Nadal<\/strong>\u2018s defeat in last year\u2019s Davis Cup Finals, which was also the 22-time Grand Slam champion\u2019s final match of his career. Prior to the Davis Cup, Van de Zandschulp had knocked out World No.3\u00a0Carlos Alcaraz<\/strong>\u00a0in the second round of the US Open. Following his win over the Serb, the 29-year-old was asked which of the three matches was the toughest for him.<\/p>\n

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Yeah, I think they\u2019re all different. I think like playing Rafa last match was mentally quite a tough match, to play it in Spain as well. So, yeah, that\u2019s never easy. But, yeah, I think Carlos was maybe the toughest one. Yeah, because beforehand, you didn\u2019t really know you had the possibility to beat guys who are, yeah, running the game these days.<\/em><\/p>\n

Botic van de Zandschulp said at the press conference<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The lucky loser, after booking a spot in the Indian Wells main draw,\u00a0received a walkover from an injured\u00a0Nick Kyrgios<\/strong>\u00a0in the first round. He has now set up a third-round clash with 25th seed\u00a0Francisco Cerundolo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tennis death awaits Novak Djokovic, claims Dmitry Tursunov<\/h2>\n

Former World No.20\u00a0Dmitry Tursunov<\/strong>\u00a0is convinced that\u00a0Novak Djokovic\u00a0would soon call time on his career. Djokovic, who will turn 38 this May, has been dealing with injury woes which have hampered his performance in Grand Slam events. Tursunov too thinks that at this stage of his career, his performance will depend on his fitness.<\/p>\n

\"Novak
Novak Djokovic (Image via Screengrab\/X)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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His own body is now his biggest opponent. No matter how he plans to beat the weather, \u2018tennis death\u2019 will await him. Of course, he still has the motivation to play at the highest level, but in tennis, you lose your sense of immortality much faster than in other sports. Previous achievements are quickly forgotten.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dmitry Tursunov said per\u00a0Sportklub<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

Djokovic has now lost three matches on the trot for the second time since 2008 and the first since 2018. Before his campaign in the California desert, the 24-time Grand Slam champion\u00a0retired mid-match\u00a0in the Australian Open semifinals. Following Melbourne, he was knocked out of the Qatar Open opener by\u00a0Matteo Berrettini<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Djokovic could participate in the Miami Open next. Although his name is on the entry list for the season\u2019s second ATP 1000 Masters event, he has expressed uncertainty over his participation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Botic van de Zandschulp clinched back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025 after a three-set win over Novak Djokovic in Indian Wells Open. 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