In a game like a roller coaster ride against the Serbs Hamad Medjedovic, Daniel Altmaier reached the round of 16 of the French Open. Altmaier’s opponent apparently had to struggle with health problems, but held out like a battered boxer. German No. 3 won 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 3 and 6: 2 on Friday. It is the second round of 16 of Daniel Altmaier in his career.
At 1: 2 in the first set, there was a medical break with the Serbs: the tournament doctor had to measure blood pressure and also fever. Apparently Medjedovic had a weakness, but reported back after a few minutes. But apparently the No. 73 of the world rankings was not yet really fit and gave three games in a row, Altmaier was on the way to winning the set.
But then the 21 -year Serb changed his tactics and played Riskerer – partly with surprised admiring calls to the spoiled spectators at the French Open. Because Hamad Medjedovic sometimes slammed his forehand strikes with a tremendous force along the lines, unreachable for the German. Altmaier had to hand in the first set with 4: 6 despite a break.
Altmaier wrestles for version
Medjedovic used the break after the first set for a longer visit to the cabin. Altmaier whispered to his coach Alberto Mancini, he should let his call – the 67th was sitting on his bank in the world ranking and looking for his version.
Also in the second sentence Altmaier then managed a break; This time because the lanky Medjedovic suddenly produced mistakes. The 26-year-old Altmaier kept his nerves and, despite a double mistake, got his service to 5: 3. Medjedovic seemed to be weakened again in terms of health and had to give the second round almost without a fight.
Again and again Medjedovic had to recovered from the rallies
Stabilized service game
In the third set, Altmaier started with a sovereign service game – the first service was particularly precise. The Serb now also showed nerves, let his head hang and struggled loudly with it. Altmaier used this mercilessly and managed an early break. He quickly placed 4: 1. Medjedovic crouched in the shadow on the edge of the field and had to rest briefly.
Surprisingly, the fighting Serb kept himself in the game. Again and again he shot the ball into point gains with punches from his arm, crouched on the edge of the field and discussed with his coaching staff. Would Hamad Medjedovic give up? The vocabulary “give up” does not seem to exist for the young professional from the Balkans. He continued to fight – and Altmaier continued to play unimpressed and closed the third set 6: 3.
“Underearm Serve” by Medjedovic
In the first service game of set four, the Serb Altmaier surprised with a surcharge from below: Altmaier had stood far behind the baseline, and he only reached the short service with difficulty. The Coup Medjedovic hadn’t helped much – Altmaier then took his opponent his second service game and thus made a quick break.
The fourth round was just a short story: Hamad Medjedovic only seemed to want to bring the game over the stage and produced a myriad of mistakes, quickly it was 5: 1.
Hardly to be beaten in bizarre
Medjedovic seemed to be almost singing and soundless. He fended off five match balls from the German, had to rely on his racket between the serves and was obviously completely at the end of his strength. But after more than eight minutes he used the game ball and spread his arms like after a win.
In the eighth game of the fourth set, Altmaier was quickly 0:30 behind, but kept the concentration and then won with some good serves. With this success in the live world rankings, Altmaier slips to 50th place.