Brouwer loses in three sets on debut in Rosmalen, Hijikata to second round
NOS Football–
Gijs Brouwer failed to grace his debut at the ATP tournament in Rosmalen with a victory. In the first round, Australian Rinky Hijikate was too strong: (6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2).
The Dutch world number 145 was allowed to enter the tournament because compatriot Botic van de Zandschulp canceled with a foot injury.
In the first set, both players raced through their serve games, although Brouwer had to eliminate a break point. He made two points in the tiebreak at 5-4 on the Australian’s serve and took the set.
Also in the second set, the 27-year-old Brewer failed to create break chances, Hijikata did. The Australian, the world number 133, needed as many as five chances to win the set.
Brouwer finally managed to break him in the third set, but delivered his own serve three times, mainly due to sloppy play.
Brouwer, eager to storm the top-100, suffered his eighth consecutive defeat in Rosmalen. “You travel and invest a lot, so then you hope for a different result. You have to keep going steadily.”
The Dutchman himself is not sure how to start making those leaps in the rankings. “It’s tricky. I have to become more constant, but I have been calling that for a year. This year is also changeable again. I haven’t found a solution for it yet. It’s being worked on hard.”
According to Brewer, his coach Michiel Schapers does come up with helpful tips. “He thinks I need to get stronger in my head. Be less dependent on thoughts in my head.”
Brewer loses in Rosmalen for eighth straight time: ‘It’s tough’
Earlier in the day, Milos Raonic won over fifth-seeded Miomir Kecmanovic (6-3, 6-3).
The other Dutch participant, Tallon Griekspoor, will be in action on Tuesday. He will play against Swede Mikael Ymer, who will be regularly joined by Robin Haase in the coming period.
Tim van Rijthoven, last year’s surprising winner, has to pass up this edition because of an injury.
Pattinama in action on Tuesday
On the women’s side, first-seeded Veronika Koedermetova advanced to the next round as Alison Riske-Amritraj gave up in the second set at 3-0. Koedermetova was also the strongest in the first set (6-3).
Viktoria Azaranka, the number three seed, won 7-6, 6-3 over Natalija Stevanovic.
The only Dutch participant in the women’s tournament is Lesley Pattinama-Kerkhove. She will play Kimberly Birrell from Australia on Tuesday.
