US Open
Struff makes it into the second round through “madness” support
Updated on August 26, 2025 – 11:16 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Jan-Lennard Struff fought back at the US Open and reached the second round-otherwise Tatjana Maria and Australian Open winner Madison Keys.
With a mixed start, but a lot of fighting spirit, Jan-Lennard Struff has mastered his opening hurdle at the US Open. The 35-year-old from Warstein prevailed against Mackenzie McDonald after the set deficit and is thus in the second round of the Grand Slam tournament in New York.
Struff, who had played in the main field through the qualification, won against the American five years younger with 3: 6, 7: 6 (7: 4), 6: 3, 6: 3. In the next round, a much more estimated opponent is waiting with the eleven Danes Holger Rune set at position.
Struff said at Sky: “At the beginning I didn’t get into the rhythm. It was not so easy conditions today, very windy. I didn’t develop a good touch. I then worked in it, also thanks to the German spectators. That was incredible support, insane.”
After 2:52 hours, 18 aces and 14 double errors, he used his first match ball against the physically declining McDonald on his own.
Tatjana Maria, on the other hand, experienced her next Grand Slam disappointment with the clear 3: 6, 2: 6 against the former top ten player Maria Sakkari and was the first to emerge from the German women’s trio. “In general, I didn’t play well,” said the 38-year-old. “My slice balls were too high, and if my first serve doesn’t come, it is difficult.”
As usual, Maria tried to get her opponent out of the concept with undercovered advance and backhand balls, but remained too harmless. The Greek was able to adjust to it and countered successfully.
Like Maria, the Australian Open winner Madison Keys surprisingly fared. It failed unexpectedly in the first round. The 30-year-old world rankings from the United States were defeated after an error festival by Mexican Renata Zarazua 7: 6 (12:10), 6: 7 (3: 7), 5: 7. In the 3:10 hour match at the Arthur-Ashe stage, keys undertook number 82 in the WTA ranking 89 “unforced errors”.