The second US star was too strong: Daniel Altmaier missed a new coup at the French Open and left the round of 16.
The 26-year-old Kempener lost on Sunday evening against the Frances Tiafoe 3: 6, 4: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7), which was set to number 15, and had to bury his dream of the first quarter-finals at a Grand Slam tournament.
Six days after the spectacular start of Altmaier’s Paris adventure, when he turned off the world ranking-listed Taylor Fritz in the first round, his compatriot was too strong for German number two. After 2:18 hours, the 27-year-old, who had never got beyond the third round of Paris, converted his first match ball.
After the second major round of ultimate, Altmaier can comfort his career after the French Open 2020 with 265,000 euros in prize money. In the world rankings, he will make a jump by more than ten places and move back to the top 50.
Last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev is the only and last German to go to the second week. The world ranking in third afternoon will play against the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor to move into the quarter -finals.
First set away after 34 minutes
The last German in a Grand Slam quarter-finals, which was not called Alexander Zverev, stayed with the Australian Open after Altmaiers from Mischa Zverev 2017. In Paris, Tommy Haas had last made the jump below the last eight in 2013.
Tiafoe, who had failed six times in the first round at his previous nine French Open starts, began very dominant and urged the network again and again with the forehand. Twice he took off Altmaier, quickly led 4-0. The German got back a break, but after 34 minutes the first set was gone.
In the second set, Altmaier was much better in the game, whipped loudly, had his chances. But then he acted in the 3: 3 three break balls, thundered his racket to the ground, and Tiafoe took the opportunity to make a preliminary lead.
After another outburst of anger in the loss of the set, Altmaier gathered again, got hot and complained to the referee about the music selection in the stadium: “Do you want us to fall asleep?” The German was wide awake again, led 5: 2. But then Tiafoe turned up decisively.