Guy Den Ouden defeated R. Nijboer 6-4, 7-6 in the first round of the ATP Challenger in Bunschoten, prevailing in a match marked by frequent breaks of serve. Den Ouden converted four break points and fired seven aces across the two sets.
The first set saw five breaks of serve, with Den Ouden breaking in the third, seventh and ninth games—the last giving him a 5-4 lead before he served out for the set. The second set was even more chaotic: Den Ouden broke in the first, third, seventh, ninth and 11th games, but Nijboer responded each time, breaking in the second, sixth, eighth, 10th and 12th games to force a tiebreak. Den Ouden won the tiebreak to close out the match.
Den Ouden's first-serve points won percentage of 68% against Nijboer's 60% proved decisive, even though he saved only one of four break points faced. Nijboer saved five of nine break points but could not prevent Den Ouden from edging ahead in the critical moments.