Tennis coup at the US Open: Grandios Struff achieves round of 16 against Djokovic

In his biggest match at the US Open, surprise finalist Jan-Lennard Struff challenges the Serbian tennis top star Novak Djokovic. In the third round, the 35 -year -old Struff disenchanted the American crowd of crowd Frances Tiafoe with an exciting performance and won 6: 4, 6: 3, 7: 6 (9: 7). As a qualify, the Sauerländer can now play against Djokovic to reach the quarter-finals at the Grand Slam tournament in New York.

“It is fantastic how well he plays. He shows all of us that you can play very, very good tennis at your age,” said Struff about the 38-year-old. Struff has lost all previous seven comparisons with the 24-fold record grand slam winner. Djokovic prevailed in his third round with 6: 4, 6: 7 (4: 7), 6: 2, 6: 3 against the British Cameron Norrie. The Serb obviously took a medical break due to problems on the back.

Birthday greetings to Germany

For Struff, the round of 16 with a number of setbacks with several setbacks is a great success. “Horny, I’m happy. Incredible match. I think I played very good tennis,” he said 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. 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

In the world rankings, the former top 30 player Struff 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).