Van de Zandsholb has struggled with injuries in recent months and this week fell out of the world top 50 for the first time in eighteen months. And in his first match in a month and a half, the world number 55 was unable to stop his free fall.
Against Kumar, the number 385 in the world, van de Zandsholb was no shadow of himself. He immediately lost his first serve and was unable to respond. Van de Zandschulp had taken the lead in company two, but gave it up again.
The defeat by the United States was another loss for the 27-year-old van de Zandscholpe, who has lost eight of his last nine matches. Last year, he reached the semifinals in Winston-Salem, so now he will lose many points in the ATP rating.
The results in Winston-Salem reveal the contrast between the situation last year and the situation this year. A year ago, Van de Zandsholb was still 22nd in the world rankings and went into the US Open as a seeded player.
The Winston-Salem tournament is the last preparatory tournament for the US Open, which starts on Monday. In addition to Van de Zandscholpe, the 27-year-old Greek track will also appear on the track in New York next week.
The Greek track will still be active in Winston-Salem for a while. Harlemer won the first set on hard court in the second round 7-6 (8) against Jack Draper. Then he saw his British rival, No. 118 in the world, retire with an injury.
This was his first game in Winston-Salem for Greekspoor. In the opening round he had a free pass thanks to his ranked status. World number 25 will face Australian Max Purcell (ATP-47) in the eighth finals.
