Tennis coup at the US Open: Grandios Struff reaches round of 16 completely surprisingly

After his greatest success at the US Open, Jan-Lennard Struff waived a big cheering gesture. The qualifying had just been completely surprising and for the first time the round of 16 of the US Open. With an exciting performance, the 35 -year -old tennis professional disenchanted the American crowd favorite Frances Tiafoe and won 6: 4, 6: 3, 7: 6 (9: 7).

Birthday greetings to Germany

“Horny, I’m happy. Incredible match. I think I played very good tennis,” said the father of the family and ordered greetings home. “My father still has ten minutes of his birthday. That’s why: all the best dad.”

The game against the two-time US Open semi-finalists and world rankings-17. The Sauerländer won Tiafoe after 2:09 hours. It was only when Struff opened 5: 3 in the third set to win the match that he began to wiggle. But the Davis Cup professional quickly caught and showed itself nervous in the tie-break. Struff was the first of three German tennis men to go to the second week of tournament.

“I think everyone knows that it is sometimes difficult to maintain a match. I tried to stay calm,” said Struff, addressing the audience: “The atmosphere was incredible. I know you cheered for Frances, but it was very fair,” said the Warsteiner and recalled that he was almost eliminated in the qualification.

In the round of 16, he faces a possible big appearance against the Serbian top star Novak Djokovic if he asserts himself against the British Cameron Norrie that night. Alexander Zverev and Daniel Altmaier can follow Struff in the round of the best 16.

Strong surcharges, direct points from the baseline – Struff did a lot as desired for a long time in New York this afternoon. In the fourth largest stadium in Flushing Meadows, the spectators also pushed the standing room above the ranks. A few more than the 8,000 spectators who found seats were witnesses to the third round duel. The US fans could not celebrate.

After the first sentence had gone to the outsider, Tiafoe threw himself to the hard court after a ball – and stretched out in vain. The scene symbolically stood for what is happening. A little later, Struff was back in front with a break.

Tiafoe seemed entertainment, Struff remained unimpressed. “He is mentally incredibly strong. He doesn’t give him a chance because he played strongly from the start,” said the three -time Wimbledon winner Boris Becker.

Third Grand Slam round of 16

Struff was in a long time for a long time this season. In the world rankings, the former top 30 player slipped to 144. That is why he had to work in the main field of the Grand Slam tournament through the qualification.

In the second round, the German surprisingly triumphed against the world ranking 11. Holger Rune from Denmark. Now the Davis Cup player reached his third Grand Slam round of 16 after the successes at the French Open 2019 and 2021. He is already secure prize money of $ 400,000 (340,000 euros).