The dream of doubles specialist Tim Pütz of the first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open has burst – the crowd’s favorites were a size too big in a heated atmosphere in Melbourne.
The German Davis Cup player Tim Pütz and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus were beaten by the local heroes Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios 5:7, 6:3, 3:6 in the quarter-finals in Melbourne in a heated atmosphere.
The Kia Arena was like a witch’s cauldron, and the fans cheered enthusiastically every time the two Australians won a point. Sometimes the cheering went beyond what was reasonable, for example with boos when Pütz and Venus served. By winning the second set, they took some air out – but only for a short time. Kyrgios in particular kept whipping the crowd with sprawling gestures.
The 34-year-old Pütz was the last German in the singles or doubles competitions at the Australian Open. Most recently, he caused a sensation when he reached the semi-finals with the German team in the Davis Cup alongside Kevin Krawietz. At Grand Slam level, his best results were two quarterfinals at the French Open (2020, 2021).