Jan-Lennard Struff’s tennis fairy tale at the US Open this year continues. According to Mackenzie McDonald and Holger Rune, US hope France Tiafoe from Warsteiner was also bowled out of the tournament. The special thing: Struff, once again clear outsider, the third-round match against number 17 in the world won surprisingly clearly on Friday. After only 2:10 hours it was 6: 4, 6: 3 and 7: 6 (9: 7) for the German.
Struff is the first time at the age of 35 in his long career in the round of 16 of New York. In general, Struff had only reached the round of 16 at the French Open in Paris at a Grand Slam tournament. In the round of the last eight, the Warsteiner was neither in Melbourne, Paris, London nor New York. In the round of 16, there could now be a duel with Novak Djokovic, who competes against Cameron Norrie in the evening.
First set decided after 35 minutes
The game against Tiafoe went over the stage so quickly because it was – hard to believe, but true – completely one -sided. After a nervous start of both, Struff switched two or three courses up, served well, made little mistake and had Tiafoe, who did not find the game at all.
After only 35 minutes the first sentence was already through, even in the second round the favorite from the USA had no solutions at all to bring the struff, which also played safely, who also returned well. On the other hand, this was not noticeable that one of the greatest chances of career opened up on this day. After 1:09 hours the second set was also decided.
Struff ensures quiet grandstand
At the latest there it was very quiet on the otherwise loud and energetic grandstand in New York. Hardly any viewer could really believe what was happening on the square. Struff, who had played in the main field through the qualification, took advantage of it and also stayed cool in round three. The Warsteiner did not leave Tiafoe the touch of a chance on his own service and was immediately on hand when there was a break chance at 4: 3 from his point of view.
And then came the one moment when Struff first reported. When the Warsteiner was allowed to open at the start of the match, he began his impact game with three double errors, which could no longer be made up for. Tiafoe immediately struck back and thus briefly caused excitement. In the Tiebreak, the American tried everything again, played his best tennis for the first time – but Struff remained cool and thus ensured the great sensation on the grandstand.
“I played really good tennis today. Everyone knows that it is sometimes difficult to make a match. But I managed to find my focus again afterwards,” said Struff after the game. “I’m just very happy and have a good run here.”