Karen Khachanov recovered from a set down to defeat Botic Van De Zandschulp 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the Rome Round of 32 on May 10, 2026. The Russian’s superior second-serve consistency—winning 65% of points compared to Van De Zandschulp’s dismal 33%—proved decisive after dropping the opening set on clay.
Van De Zandschulp struck 8 aces but undermined his own cause with an equal number of double faults, while Khachanov’s cleaner service game (just 2 double faults) allowed him to seize control once the Dutchman’s first-serve percentage dipped. Though Van De Zandschulp blasted 41 winners to Khachanov’s 25, he leaked 42 unforced errors—nearly double Khachanov’s 23—and his second serve became a liability that the Russian ruthlessly exploited across the final two sets.
Khachanov closed out the match by winning 103 total points to Van De Zandschulp’s 93, outlasting the more aggressive but less disciplined opponent. The comeback marks another solid Rome performance for Khachanov, who reached the Round of 16 here in 2025 before falling to Carlos Alcaraz.
Key Takeaways
- Khachanov’s second serve dominated: he won 65% of second-serve points compared to Van De Zandschulp’s meager 33%, a 32-percentage-point chasm that became the match’s defining tactical gap.
- Van De Zandschulp’s 8 double faults—matching his ace count—revealed the serve fragility that has plagued him on clay, where his career double-fault average of 3.8 per match is 58% higher than Khachanov’s 2.4.
- Despite Van De Zandschulp’s aggressive shot-making producing 41 winners, his 42 unforced errors (nearly double Khachanov’s 23) epitomized the high-risk strategy that backfired once Khachanov steadied after the first set.
- Khachanov’s 58.8% career clay win rate, 11 percentage points superior to Van De Zandschulp’s 47.6%, manifested in his ability to weather the Dutchman’s first-set surge and dictate play when the rallies lengthened in sets two and three.
Player Analysis
Karen Khachanov
Khachanov’s comeback hinged on his tactical adjustment after losing the opening set: he neutralized Van De Zandschulp’s free-swinging aggression by forcing extended rallies and relentlessly targeting the Dutchman’s shaky second serve. Winning 65% of second-serve points—well above his clay average—demonstrated his ability to construct points patiently and punish short balls without overcommitting to risky winners. His 4 aces and only 2 double faults reflected the serve discipline that has defined his clay success, where his 1:2 ace-to-double-fault ratio consistently gives him a platform to dictate from the baseline.
The Russian’s 25 winners against just 23 unforced errors showed commendable restraint for a player capable of overpowering opponents. His 103 total points won—10 more than Van De Zandschulp—came from outlasting rather than outhitting his opponent, a hallmark of his 77-54 career clay record and multiple deep Rome runs. This victory keeps Khachanov’s momentum building after recent hard-court struggles, and his controlled performance suggests he’s finding the clay rhythm that carried him to the 2025 Round of 16 here.
Botic Van De Zandschulp
Van De Zandschulp’s 41 winners—16 more than Khachanov—showcased the shot-making brilliance that allowed him to capture the first set, but his 42 unforced errors told the story of a player who couldn’t calibrate his aggression once Khachanov began absorbing pace and extending rallies. The Dutchman’s 8 aces came at the cost of 8 double faults, a damning 1:1 ratio that reflected the serve volatility plaguing his clay game. His 33% second-serve points won was catastrophic, essentially gifting Khachanov free points whenever the first serve missed.
Van De Zandschulp’s 20-22 career clay record (47.6% win rate) remains a significant weakness, and this loss—his third consecutive defeat on the surface—underscores his struggles to adapt to the slower, more tactical demands of dirt. While his 83% first-serve points won matched Khachanov’s efficiency when the first delivery landed, his inability to make enough first serves (62%) or defend effectively on the second ball left him vulnerable in the decisive final two sets. The Dutchman remains winless in Rome, now 0-3 in tournament appearances.
Match Statistics
| Karen Khachanov | Stat | Botic Van De Zandschulp |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Aces | 8 |
| 2 | Double Faults | 8 |
| 63% | 1st Serve % | 62% |
| 75% | 1st Serve Points Won | 83% |
| 65% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 33% |
| 25 | Winners | 41 |
| 23 | Unforced Errors | 42 |
| 103 | Total Points Won | 93 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Karen Khachanov vs Botic Van De Zandschulp at Rome 2026?
Karen Khachanov defeated Botic Van De Zandschulp 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the Round of 32 at the Rome Masters on May 10, 2026.
How many double faults did Botic Van De Zandschulp hit against Khachanov?
Van De Zandschulp hit 8 double faults, matching his ace count and contributing significantly to his loss after winning the opening set.
What was Karen Khachanov’s second serve winning percentage at Rome?
Khachanov won 65% of his second-serve points, a stark contrast to Van De Zandschulp’s 33%, which proved to be the decisive tactical advantage in the comeback victory.
Who won the Rome 2026 Round of 32 match between Khachanov and Van De Zandschulp?
Karen Khachanov won after recovering from a first-set deficit, ultimately prevailing 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the Round of 16.
What’s Next
Khachanov advances to the Rome Round of 16, where he will look to improve on his 2025 result when he fell to Carlos Alcaraz at this stage. The Russian’s improved second-serve performance and disciplined error count suggest he has found the form that has produced 7 career titles, and with his 58.8% clay win rate, he’ll fancy his chances against anyone in the next round.
Head-to-head history: Botic Van De Zandschulp vs Karen Khachanov.
