Anouk Koevermans failed to reach the second round of the Libéma Open in Rosmalen on Wednesday. The 21-year-old tournament debutant lost in two sets to former top-three player Maria Sakkari: 3-6 and 4-6.
Koevermans faced a difficult task in Rosmalen. The Brabant player is ranked 105 places lower than the Greek Sakkari, who was ranked third in the world in 2022.
On the grass in Rosmalen, Koevermans was broken in the first set at 1-2. Koevermans fought back with a break, but that was not enough. Despite three aces from the Dutch player, the 29-year-old Sakkari was the better player.
In the second set, Sakkari again converted her first breakpoint. The daughter of former tennis player Mark Koevermans tried to fight back in the remainder of the match but couldn’t make an impact in Sakkari’s service games.
It was Koevermans’ first appearance at the WTA tournament in Rosmalen, where she received a wildcard from the organization. She also participated in the qualifying tournament of Roland Garros last month but failed to secure a ticket for the main tournament.
Lamens Only Dutch Player Remaining in Rosmalen
Earlier in the day, the curtain fell for Isis-Louise van den Broek, the world number 704. The Dutch qualifier was no match for the Romanian Elena-Gabriel Ruse, the world number 80: 2-6 and 1-6.
Due to the defeat of Koevermans and Van den Broek, Suzan Lamens is the only Dutch player still in action in Rosmalen. Lamens (WTA-72) won against the Belgian Yanina Wickmayer in the first round on Tuesday and will play against the American Ann Li (WTA-53) on Thursday.
No Dutch men are left in the competition. Jesper de Jong was eliminated in the first round on Tuesday by the American serve cannon Reilly Opelka. Botic van de Zandschulp and former winner Tallon Griekspoor are not participating due to injuries.