- In the third round, victory goes to Niemeier, equipped with ice packs.
Julia Niemeier battled the intense New York midday sun with cold packs on her head and reveled in passing the heat challenge. For the first time in two years, the 25-year-old Dortmund tennis pro has advanced to the third round of a major tournament. She outplayed Japanese competitor Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 6-0 during the US Open.
"It's quite remarkable to reach the third round," Niemeier expressed on Sportdeutschland.TV. "I'm thrilled that I managed to pull away in the second set."
Career slump conconquered
Niemeier took control from the beginning in temperatures reaching 34°C and eliminated Uchijima, who had previously defeated Tamara Korpatsch. Niemeier will now face either Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen from China or Russian Erika Andrejewa. Alas, her close friend Eva Lys failed to advance beyond the second round with a narrow 2-6, 6-1, 5-7 loss to Czech Marie Bouzkova.
Niemeier astonishingly made the Wimbledon quarterfinals and the US Open round of 16 in 2022. However, she slumped later, ranking 175th worldwide, before climbing back this season. Currently, she's ranked 101st and expected to rejoin the top 100 post-US Open. "It wasn't a walk in the park, but it's gratifying to know we stayed the course," she stated. "I have a team that always believed in me. It's fantastic that I can return the favor now."
Niemeier on evolution: "A whole new player"
"I'm an entirely different player, an entirely different person," Niemeier describes her evolution since her rise two years ago. "I've grown as a player and as an individual." She sees tennis "from an entirely new perspective" thanks to her trainer Michael Geserer, who started mentoring her primarily at the end of last year. "Julia is an amazing talent, she possesses immense potential," commented teammate Lys.
Niemeier controlled the tempo of the match, with most points determined by her victorious shots or Uchijima's mistakes. At 4-3, she appeared to treat a blister on her left foot with ointment and bandages, glancing at her notebook as she had done before. Both players utilized cooling air from a hose and chilly towels to combat the stifling sun.
A minor backhand miscue from Uchijima granted Niemeier her opponent's serve and clinched the first set 6-4 in 61 minutes. Uchijima's challenge was largely squashed. Following a lengthier break at the changeover, Niemeier secured six consecutive games. She claimed her spot in the third round and $215,000 in winnings with the second match point after 96 minutes.
Niemeier's next opponent could be Zheng Qinwen from China, adding a potential challenge to her ongoing US Open journey. Despite Niemeier's successful season so far, she experienced a career slump last year, ranking 175th worldwide.
