Reflecting that match ahead of this week’s Davis Cup duties, the Dutchman admitted it was a challenging task to battle against one of his idols in the Davis Cup in front of his fans.
However, he kept his composure and bested the 38-year-old in straight sets, adding a valuable point for his country. Nadal delivered one break in the second set and lost serve three times en route to only his second Davis Cup singles defeat.
Carried by the home crowd, Rafa stayed in touch in the opening eight games of the duel. Van de Zandschulp closed the eighth game with a smash winner and made a push on the return in the next one.
He generated a break chance and landed a cracking backhand crosscourt winner for the first advantage. He served for the opener at 5-4 and closed the first part of the duel with a service winner after 46 minutes.
Nadal wasted a game point in the first game of the second set and experienced the second straight break to find himself further behind. Botic held in the fourth game for 3-1 and made another push on the return in the next one.
He painted a forehand crosscourt winner on the second break point, moving 4-1 in front and closer to the finish line. Carried by the partisan crowd, Rafa finally stepped in on the return in game six.
He pulled one break back before spraying double faults at 2-4, offering his rival a break chance. He denied it and landed a smash winner to remain within one break deficit.
Nadal led 30-0 on the return in the eighth game before van de Zandschulp grabbed four straight points and opened a 5-3 gap. The Spanish veteran extended the match and his career with three service winners in game nine.
However, Botic provided a fine gold in the tenth game, forcing the legend’s mistake and earning a notable victory for himself and his country.
“It was a challenging week against the host team in the quarter-final. It was Rafa’s farewell and a demanding match. It was a very special moment, facing him in front of the home crowd.
He was one of my idols when I saw him compete in my younger years. That’s why it was hard to play against him,” Botic van de Zandschulp said.
🔴 “Betrayed by His Own Blood: Father of Utah Gunman Helped Expose Son Who Assassinated Activist Charlie Kirk”
Authorities have revealed that the suspected assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was turned in by his own father.
The suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, of Washington County, Utah, was arrested at 10 p.m. on September 11—33 hours after Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Robinson’s father recognized his son in surveillance footage released by investigators. He urged him to surrender and then contacted a family friend, a young pastor, who ultimately alerted police.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, speaking at a September 12 press conference, praised the family’s courage, saying they “did the right thing.” Robinson, who reportedly became increasingly political in recent years, had expressed disdain for Kirk at family dinners, describing him as “hateful” and “spreading hate.”
Robinson now faces charges of aggravated murder, discharging a firearm causing serious injury, and obstruction of justice. A Utah judge has ordered him held without bail at Utah County Jail. Court records show he has no prior criminal history.
Security footage showed the gunman climbing onto the roof of a building across from the venue, opening fire, then leaping down and fleeing into a nearby neighborhood. Investigators later recovered the rifle believed to be the murder weapon, along with chilling evidence: bullets etched with messages. One shell casing was engraved with lyrics from the Italian protest song “Bella Ciao,” while an unfired round carried the words “Take this, fascist!”
Discord messages obtained from Robinson’s roommate revealed discussions about retrieving a hidden rifle, stashing it in the bushes, and wrapping it in a cloth. He also mentioned an engraved scope.
Despite the violent nature of the crime, Governor Cox said investigators currently believe Robinson acted alone, though the probe is ongoing.
Kirk, 31, was widely recognized as a rising star in the conservative movement and a close ally of former President Donald Trump. Trump, speaking at the 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Pentagon, called Kirk “a legend” and announced he would be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
