85th-ranked Van de Zandschulp knocked the great Novak Djokovic out at the Californian ATP 1000 tournament, a little over 24 hours after fellow Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor defeated top seed Alexander Zverev in two sets.
Van de Zandschulp's 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Djokovic - the sixth seed at Indian Wells - was his eighth career top-10 victory, but the Dutchman couldn't reflect on an 'amazing match'.
"I remained mentally sound throughout the match," Van de Zandschulp told Dutch TV after his win. "I actually didn't play great myself. I wasn't great in the first set, for example, but it wasn't necessary either.
"I know that if I lose my cool, especially against the big players, it will be a very tough day. I was happy to finally play at my level again in the third set.‘’
29-year-old Van de Zandschulp has tumbled down the rankings over recent years, falling from a career-high 22nd place in the ATP rankings in 2022 to falling outside the top 100 in 2024. However, the Dutchman always remained a fierce opponent for what he calls the 'big players', against whom he seems to always find another gear.
"I know that if I don't show my best game, the other person will win anyway," he told Tennis Channel. Van de Zandschulp crashed out at his home tournament in Rotterdam to Carlos Alcaraz, who beat the Dutchman in straight sets in the first round.
"I knew then that I had to play aggressively. I think I came to the net 40 times. If I stay at the baseline, he will dictate the game. Against such players, you do have to play aggressively. Otherwise, you don't stand a chance."
Dutch delight
Van de Zandschulp's victory followed Davis Cup teammate Tallon Griekspoor's famous victory over Alexander Zverev. The highest-ranked Dutch player beat Zverev after a sensational three-set match and a second tiebreak and celebrated this by writing "Finally!" on the camera.
Griekspoor has always made it difficult for Zverev to beat him, but couldn't get the better of the German in the past four meetings. The match between Zverev and Griekspoor at the French Open in 2024 nearly went Griekspoor's way, but the Dutchman couldn't convert on a two-break lead in the final set.
In California, he finally dealt with his nemesis. "I lost to him five times last year," said Griekspoor after his first career win over a top-5 player. "The most painful defeat was at Roland Garros, where I let him escape in the fifth set after a double break lead. I had chances in those other matches, too, but it always fell his way. Now finally, for once, it didn't."
Griekspoor continues his Indian Wells campaign on Sunday evening when Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will be the opponent in the third round. Van de Zandschulp has set up a meeting with Francesco Cerundolo at Indian Wells Tennis Garden and will meet the Argentine next Tuesday.