Jesper de Jong achieved a convincing victory at the ATP tournament in Umag on Tuesday. Two days after his lost final in Bastad, Sweden, he was too strong for the Croatian Mili Poljicak on the Croatian gravel with 6-3 and 6-3.
De Jong had risen to 83rd place due to his final spot in Bastad, his highest position ever. Poljicak is 277th, so the Dutchman was the big favorite in the Goran Ivanisevic Stadium.
Notably, Ivanisevic himself, the 2001 Wimbledon winner after whom the stadium is named, was in the stands during the match.
The 25-year-old De Jong lived up to his role as favorite. The 21-year-old Poljicak was unable to force a breakpoint.
In the second round, De Jong faces Mariano Navone, from whom he can expect more resistance. The 24-year-old Argentine is 76th in the world rankings and was the world number 29 a year ago.
Also Van de Zandschulp wins
De Jong was not the only Dutchman in action at an ATP tournament on Tuesday. Botic van de Zandschulp was too strong for Nicolas Jarry in the first round in Kitzbühel, Austria, with 6-4, 4-6 and 6-3. The Chilean had recently surprisingly reached the fourth round at Wimbledon.
In the third set, Van de Zandschulp requested an interruption because he seemed to be suffering from his left thigh. After a short treatment, he was able to continue the match.
In the second round, Van de Zandschulp faces the Austrian Filip Misolic.