Tennis - Successful Wimbledon opener: Struff and Altmaier continue
Jan-Lennard Struff chatted casually about his new blond hair as Daniel Altmaier had a close call in Wimbledon. The 25-year-old slipped mid-first set on the grass and stayed down for a moment. However, Altmaier celebrated his five-set win against British outsider Arthur Fery in the opening round of the Wimbledon Championship.
Struff played Kempener on Wednesday for a spot in the third round. The third Grand Slam tournament of the year got off to a successful start for the men's players, with Zverev leading the way.
Altmaier defeated Fery 4:6, 7:6 (8:6), 1:6, 6:3, 6:1 after being treated on his right hip and thigh area. He managed to take advantage of the favorable draw against the Wildcard holder and advanced to the second round at Wimbledon for the first time.
Struff impressed with his surprising new look
Struff made it through against Hungarian Fabian Marozsan with a 6:4, 6:7 (4:7), 6:2, 6:3 performance. "It was a tough match. I'm very happy with how I played and won," assessed the Saxon. He really showcased his new look when he removed his hat after the match-winning point. He not only made headlines due to his victory.
Regarding the blonde hair, Struff replied, "A little bit of both. My girlfriend did it. It worked out. When I was young, I had quite blonde hair. I like it."
Struff remains unfazed by setbacks
Against Marozsan, the German number two also didn't let a slight cold deter him. "My nose is running a bit. But everything is fine. I had enough energy." Struff shook off early setbacks, falling behind 0:3 and 1:4, but found his rhythm and secured the first set. In the second set, he had a 5:4 lead but made too many errors in the tiebreak.
Struff bid farewell to the crowd on Court 8 with applause and the German flag. "It was definitely great to have so many German fans there," he said.
However, qualifier and Wimbledon debutant Eva Lys missed out on the second round, losing to Frenchwoman Clara Burel 2:6, 4:6.
Kerber and Zverev make their Wimbledon debuts on Tuesday
Angelique Kerber and Zverev make their Wimbledon debuts on Tuesday against Julia Putinzewa and Roberto Carballés Baena, respectively. The French Open finalist faces a Spanish outsider in the first round. In their only previous encounter on clay in Madrid in 2023, he defeated him.
"To be honest, I don't know how he plays on grass. I haven't seen him live yet," admitted the German number one. "Let's see. It's a first-round match where I hope to start the tournament well." Zverev aims to present himself as ripe for grass tennis in Wimbledon as he apparently hasn't felt in the past years.
Zverev on title hunt
Slowly, the fourth-ranked player in the world seems to be developing a love for grass-court tennis. Despite his disappointing performance in London, the 27-year-old has chosen to become a title contender for this year's third Grand Slam tournament and has clearly stated his goals: "This is the first time I really think I'm here as a candidate to maybe win the title."
The tournament is as open as perhaps it hasn't been in the last 20 years, said Zverev, who has never reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Therefore, the most famous tennis tournament in the world is its weakest Grand Slam competition.
- Jan-Lennard Struff talked about his new blond hair, which was noticeable even during his match against Hungarian Fabian Marozsan.
- Alexander Zverev, from Germany, is leading the men's players in the third Grand Slam tournament of the year, the Wimbledon Championship.
- Daniel Altmaier had a close call in Wimbledon, but managed to win his opening round match against British outsider Arthur Fery after a five-set battle.
- Tennis player Angelique Kerber will make her Wimbledon debut on Tuesday against Julia Putinzewa in the first round.
- Alexander Zverev, ranked fourth in the world, is aiming to present himself as a title contender at this year's Wimbledon tournament, which he believes is the tournament's weakest Grand Slam competition.
- Zverev had a disappointing performance in London, but he is determined to make a strong showing in grass-court tennis during Wimbledon.
- The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has yet to announce the schedule for the women's singles draw, which includes German player Laura Siegemund, who will be playing in her third-consecutive Wimbledon.
