Dutch long-shot Tim van Rijtoven stunned new world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-1 as the local wild card capped a miracle week on the ATP grass in ‘s Hertogenbosch on Sunday.
Defeat of the top seed who will take over the No. 1 ranking on Monday handed the No. 205 a totally unexpected title.
The winner this week was playing his first ATP-level matches in six years since competing on hardcourt as a qualifying lucky loser at Winston-Salem in the US.
His run of form this week included knockout of the three leading seeds at the event, including No. 2 Talor Fritz and No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Medvedev will ha a final chance on grass this season before missing Wimbledon due to the ban on Russian competitors at the Championships.
He plays as top seed this coming week on grass in Halle, Germany in a field which also includes Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The winner was only just starting to come to terms with the implausibility of his accomplishment this week.
“”I’d like to show my huge respect to Daniil. I mean, you’re a great player,” he said.
“I’ve watched you on TV many times. And now to play you myself. I mean, for it was already a dream to play you and to be playing this well against you was just amazing.”
Medvedev was equally impressed: “First time in an ATP tournament and straightaway you destroy the No. 2 in the world in straight sets in the final.
“I don’t know how it feels so it must be a good feeling.”
Main photo:- Tim van Rijtoven wins Hertogenbosch title – by ATPTour.com
