In the end, “Let’s Go, Struffi, Let’s Go” slaughter calls over the Court 18, on which the American John Isner and the Frenchman Nicolas Mahut had played for over three days before Isner won in the fifth set of 70:68. The German tennis professional Jan-Lennard Struff did not take that long, but at least over two days his second-round match went. On Wednesday evening he was able to win the second set before his game against the world ranking 22. Felix Auger-Aliasseime from Canada had been interrupted due to darkness.
At 3: 6, 7: 6 (9) it continued on Thursday afternoon. And unlike Alexander Zverev, who completely slept his duel in the first round with the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech during the sequel at the beginning (and ultimately lost in five sets), Struff was immediately active, offensive and the better player. After a total of 3:11 hours of play, the 35-year-old converted his second match ball, shortly afterwards he, rather an introverted person, did an air jump. With his 3: 6, 7: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4 success, the German Davis Cup player has developed a special third-round match. He meets the two-time Wimbledon winner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz this Friday. The game will take place on the Center Court. Struff was allowed to compete there in 2018, at that time he lost 3: 6, 5: 7, 2: 6 against the Swiss Roger Federer.
“Three German men in the main field, that is clearly below our requirements,” says national coach Michael Kohlmann
“It was a really important match for me, I haven’t won two matches in a row for a long time,” said Struff, who has slipped to 125th place in the world rankings and urgently needs good results. Otherwise, he no longer automatically comes into the main fields of the larger tournaments. “I am very happy to be able to play against Alcaraz now.” Against the 22-year-old, who won his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open in early June, Struff played in Wimbledon three years ago, at that time he brought him to the edge of a defeat and only lost 4: 6 in the fifth set. In 2021, when Alcaraz was at the beginning of his promotion to the top of the world, Struff won against him in the first round at the French Open in three sets. “I have to perform well in order to be able to put him in danger,” said Struff.
Michael Kohlmann pulled a mixed Wimbledon record. “Three German men in the main field, that is well under our requirements,” said the German national coach and Davis Cup team boss; Only Alexander Zverev, Daniel Altmaier and Struff were in the first round. “This is the first time in 40 years that we had so few here. We have to get better. That must be our goal, even at short notice. Even if it is of course difficult to change the switch at short notice.” Kohlmann was happy about Struff’s success, which he had followed in the box on the square. “Struff had now shown two great matches and will now play in a large place. I think we can get away with a blue eye.”