- Challenging an Olympic champion in the US Open without any apparent advantage.
Jule Niemeier encountered an unexpected setback against Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, making her the last German tennis player to bow out in the third round. The 25-year-old from Dortmund had slim chances in the 81-minute battle, ultimately losing 2-6, 1-6 to the formidable Chinese player. Following the US Open Grand Slam in New York, the previous Wimbledon quarterfinalist Niemeier will climb back into the top 90 worldwide rankings and potentially surpass Laura Siegemund as Germany's top-ranked player.
Zheng had earlier brought an end to Angelique Kerber's career at the Paris Olympics and claimed China's first-ever tennis gold medal. Two years ago, Niemeier had triumphed over the current world No. 7 in the third round, but this time she was forced to concede defeat.
Niemeier opened strong with a potent serve stirring up a commotion in the Grandstand, the third-largest stadium at the US Open. Both competitors relied on forceful, daring groundstrokes, but Zheng seized control with her serves. Midway through the first set, Niemeier's game started to unravel, resulting in back-to-back serve failures.
Treatment for a blister
At 2-5, Niemeier sought treatment for a blister on her left big toe, a strategy she had employed in her second-round triumph over Japanese player Moyuka Uchijima. Shortly after, the set slipped away, and Niemeier exited the court. The second set did not begin much better, with Zheng scoring seven consecutive points. Following an impressive volley, Niemeier galvanized the crowd, but the turnaround sadly never materialized.
Since reaching the round of 16 in 2022, Niemeier had not advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam tournament until this year's US Open. Nevertheless, she successfully halted her downward spiral in the rankings, which had plummeted to a dismal 175.
Despite losing to Zheng, Niemeier demonstrated her strength by serving aggressively in the US Open's Grandstand, a venue known for its capacity of 10,000 spectators. In her quest to regain her form, Niemeier relies on proper ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Physio care, ensuring her body is in top shape for her matches.
