Botic Van De Zandschulp secured an easy ticket to the second round of the Nordea Open, defeating Mikael Ymer in straight sets (6-4, 6-1) in a match where the Dutchman was only tested by the former world No. 50 for one set. This marked Ymer’s first appearance on the Bastad courts since 2021.

The match began on Tuesday but concluded on Wednesday due to a rain delay. Making his clay-court debut in Bastad, Van De Zandschulp broke early in the first set to go up 2-1, immediately putting pressure on his opponent, who lacked match rhythm and hadn’t played many recent tournaments. The Dutchman—who has climbed as high as No. 22 in the ATP rankings and is known for ending Rafael Nadal’s career in Malaga during the Davis Cup Finals—was composed throughout the match. His deep groundstrokes consistently pushed Ymer back, helping him reach 4-2 with a love game.

Ymer, 26, fought back with strong forehands and created two break points at 4-3. After a cautious rally from both players, he broke back, suggesting a potentially tight contest. But Van De Zandschulp responded immediately with a break for 5-4. As the tenth game began at 15-15, rain interrupted play.

When the match resumed on Wednesday, Ymer came out aggressive, saving two set points and earning a break point after a double fault from the Dutchman (who had three double faults in total, compared to Ymer’s one). Despite this effort, he couldn’t level the set, which went to Van De Zandschulp 6-4.

The second set was one-sided. Van De Zandschulp broke immediately as Ymer started sluggishly, visibly frustrated and unable to find his rhythm. Ranked world No. 100, the Dutchman played assertively, frequently approaching the net and winning 12 of 14 points there (86%), compared to Ymer’s 67% (4/6). Determined not to allow Ymer back into the match, Van De Zandschulp dictated the pace and stayed in control.

Ymer’s performance on serve reflected his struggles—he won only 47% of service points (24/51), while the Dutchman won 71% (32/45). Van De Zandschulp showed more patience and consistency in extended rallies. At 3-1, he generated several break points and converted one of them, aided by Ymer’s unforced errors (26 in total versus Van De Zandschulp’s 18), to go up 4-1. A love game and one final break, as Ymer seemed to have mentally checked out, sealed a comfortable spot in the round of 16 for the Dutchman.

Van De Zandschulp will now face Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli (world No. 59), aiming for his third ATP Tour win of the clay season on the courts of Bastad.

Written by Achilleas Tsakalidis