How far from the sand sculpt and Greeks can come after their stunts against Djokovic and Zverev in Indian Wells?

Two Dutch tennis surprises within two days: Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp managed it. In the second round of Indian Wells, Griekspoor defeated the number 2 in the world on Friday evening, Alexander Zverev (4-6, 7-6 and 7-6). A day later, Van de Zandschulp Novak Djokovic hit the tournament, the former number 1. And on Sunday evening, Griekspoor again reached the fourth round: he beat the French number 30 Mpetshi Perricard (7-6 and 6-3) in two sets. Van de Zandschulp will be back in action on Monday.

Djokovic had a hard time in his match against Van de Zandschulp. He started the game with many mistakes, and the 29-year-old Dutchman managed to take advantage of it. Tennis at the highest level has become 'really a challenge' for Djokovic, he sighed on Sunday after his defeat. The numbers did not lie: with 6-2, 3-6 and 6-1 the win for the Dutchman, number 85 in the world.

Van de Zandschulp's win was all the more surprising because he was actually eliminated in qualifying for the prestigious ATP1000 tournament. Only after a cancellation could Van de Zandschulp be allowed to participate in the main tournament as a 'Lucky Loser'. In the first round he then won against Nick Kyrgios, who had to give up due to an injury. And then suddenly winning Djokovic? « I think I saved my calmness throughout the game, » Van de Zandschulp analyzed afterwards. « I know that when I lose my calmness, especially against the big players, it will be a very tough day. »

Dangerous for the top

The two Dutch tennis players show that they can be dangerous for the absolute top more often. For example, Van de Zandschulp beat the number 3 in the world during the US Open last summer, Carlos Alcaraz. Griekspoor managed to beat the Russian Daniil Medvedev (number 6) in Dubai last month. Also during the Davis Cup in November 2024 there was success: in the quarterfinals, the Netherlands defeated host country Spain (among other things by winning Van de Zandschulp against the farewell Rafael Nadal) and only had to bow in the final for Italy, with the current number 1 in the world Jannik Sinner.

Such successes ensure high expectations, but they are not always realized. For example, Van de Zandschulp on the US Open did not succeed in giving the victory over Alcaraz a successful follow -up. And Griekspoor lost the game after his win on Medvedev in two sets of Stefanos Tsisipas. Their results are moderate throughout the season anyway. Van de Zandschulp did not get any further than one eighth final, in Doha. Griekspoor lost this year in the first round on the Australian Open, but managed to reach the semi -final again in Dubai.

Form opponents

The surprising victories of Van de Zandschulp and Griekspoor in Indian Wells, also known as 'the fifth Grandslam', were not completely clear from the shape of their opponents Djokovic and Zverev. The Serbian is still recovering from an injury to his thigh. Since his defeat against Sinner, Zverev has also not played a good game in the final of the Australian Open. « My self -confidence was very high in the beginning, but now that is a lot less. I just play terribly, « said the German after his elimination against Griekspoor at Eurosport.

Both Dutch can rise on the world ranking in Indian Wells. Not only can the winner of the ATP1000 tournament get a thousand points, also players who are less far can collect many points here. Because the differences in the top 50 and certainly the top 100 of the ranking are small, every round matters. Van de Zandschulp is already assured of three places winning, but if he won his third round, he will continue to 75th place. If he gets even further, even a return to the top 50 is possible.

Griekspoor won the third round in Indian Wells last year (which he then lost to Zverev). Now that he has reached the fourth round, he at least rises to 39th place. If he also wins that competition, he will at least continue to 35th place.

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