As the ABN AMRO Open unfolds in Rotterdam, the anticipation builds ahead of Thursday’s key matchups, featuring Alex de Minaur facing Stan Wawrinka and Stefanos Tsitsipas going up against Botic van de Zandschulp. These second-round encounters promise to showcase both established talent and rising stars in the world of professional tennis.
In the first match, Alex de Minaur is poised to meet the veteran Stan Wawrinka for only the second time in their careers. Their inaugural clash took place on the red clay courts of Monte-Carlo back in 2024, where De Minaur delivered a dominant performance, winning decisively with a score of 6-3, 6-0. Currently at 40 years old, Wawrinka has shown resilience this season, having already secured more match victories in 2026 than he did throughout the entirety of the previous year. He enters this encounter following a solid win over lucky loser Thijs Boogaard with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4.
However, excitement surrounds De Minaur, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the world, coming off a strong performance that saw him reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. He kicked off his Rotterdam campaign by defeating Arthur Fils 7-6(3), 6-2, showcasing his sharpness and form. Additionally, De Minaur has consistently performed well at this tournament in the past, having finished as the runner-up in his last two appearances. Given Wawrinka’s age and the young Australian’s upward trajectory, a swift victory for De Minaur seems plausible.
Prediction: De Minaur in straight sets.
In the second matchup, Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to challenge Botic van de Zandschulp in what will be their third direct encounter. Tsitsipas has emerged victorious in their previous duels on indoor hard courts, winning 7-5, 6-3 in Antwerp (2023) and 7-5, 6-4 in Basel (2024).
This time, the Dutch player Van de Zandschulp, ranked No. 65, will benefit from the home crowd advantage. He has recorded a mixed start to the year, holding a 4-3 win-loss record, with his three losses coming against notable opponents, including Alexander Bublik and Novak Djokovic. Under the guidance of new coach Raemon Sluiter, Van de Zandschulp appears to be revitalized and could pose a significant challenge to Tsitsipas, who has not yet returned to his top form despite a satisfactory win over Arthur Rinderknech earlier in the week.
Considering his recent resurgence and the supportive Rotterdam crowd, an upset by Van de Zandschulp could be on the horizon.
Prediction: Van de Zandschulp in three sets.
As these matches approach, fans are eagerly awaiting the outcomes, with both the excitement of emerging talents and the grit of seasoned champions on display in the battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.
