Jule Niemeier wins - also thanks to unusual methods
In Wimbledon, London, the schedules are disrupted by rain in Wimbledon. Jule Niemeier is affected by it - and impressed despite that. She relies on a special tool. Jan-Lennard Struff completes his task nervously as well.
Niemeier, the Wimbledon quarterfinalist of 2022, showed good form in her delayed second round entry. Struff set a new personal best at Wimbledon and advances to Round 3 after defeating Zhang Zhizhen 5:7, 6:3, 7:6 (7:1), 7:6 (10:8). He faces Russian World Class player Daniil Medvedev next.
Long Waiting with Espresso
"It was a 'difficult match'", Struff said to Prime: "I had to find a way, and I managed to do that." Due to the bad weather with intermittent light rain causing schedule disruptions and a long Women's match before him, Struff came much later than anticipated. The waiting caused him problems, Struff said: "It was a brutal day," he remarked: "I even took a break and had two espressos." He now faces a "brutal" challenging task against Medvedev.
Against the 32nd-seeded Chinese player, Struff experienced a weakness phase on his serve and lost the game to 5:6. However, he turned the match around after the set deficit and a rain delay in the fourth-set tiebreak. The German number two also managed to save three set points against herself.
Altmaier Waits in Vain, Zverev and Co. with a Chance for Round Three
Daniel Altmaier waited in vain for his match on Wednesday. Zverev, the Tokyo Gold medalist, is scheduled to play against Marcos Giron from the USA on Thursday. Laura Siegemund is challenging the former Wimbledon winner Jelena Rybakina.
Whether Niemeier's performance will be enough for a win against the Ukrainian Switolina remains to be seen. She won her first match 6:2, 6:1 against Viktorija Golubic. Her higher-ranked but chance-lacking Swiss opponent was left speechless. "The semifinals from two years ago help me little, as I obviously want to do better," Niemeier said.
Niemeier doodles thoughts
In her originally scheduled match for Tuesday, which was repeatedly postponed to Wednesday, Niemeier's notepad also came in handy. The Dortmunderin did not want to reveal what she wrote in it. "I find it very good to write things down, even thoughts, to remind myself of things in the match," Niemeier explained. "It also helps to get things done or just to scribble something down."
Two years ago, Niemeier celebrated her biggest success at Wimbledon on London's Church Road. However, she was unable to fulfill the awakened hopes and experienced a very difficult year in 2023. "I even lost a bit of fun in sports," admitted the 24-year-old. "It's just hard when you win few matches." She struggled, "just trying to believe that it will all come back." The last year was tough. "You can see that I'm having fun again and that I'm on the right track."
No clear answer from Kerber
Niemeier extended her stay at Wimbledon, which also suited the three-time Grand Slam champion Kerber well. The 36-year-old sat there with shining eyes after her first-round exit against the Kazakh Julia Putintseva and left the question about her future open. She neither answered yes nor no, whether this was her last Wimbledon appearance.
"I don't know. I didn't come here with that thought," said the former number one in the world and Wimbledon champion of 2018, as she had to endure the low point of her beloved but this time disappointing grass season.
Emotionally, Kerber, the champion of 2018, spoke about her Wimbledon history. "When I look at Wimbledon, it feels like my tournament," said Kerber. "I still have the most beautiful moments in my head, and that will stay that way, regardless of the match."
Despite the disruptions due to rain at Wimbledon, Angelique Kerber maintains a positive outlook towards her tennis career, leaving the possibility of this being her last Wimbledon appearance ambiguous. Meanwhile, Jule Niemeier, the 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinalist, relies on her special notepad to stay focused during matches, even in tough situations like long weather delays. Despite encountering a challenging serve in her match against the 32nd-seeded Chinese player Zhizhen, Niemeier managed to turn things around and advance to the next round, proving her determination and resilience in tennis.
