- Zverev and Niemeier withstand the scrutiny from New York's heat test
Alexander Zverev swiped sweat off his brow as he celebrated, Jule Niemeier promptly hopped into an icy pool. The two German tennis stars passed their heat trials at the US Open, progressing to the third round without dropping a set. Tokyo Olympics champion Zverev put up a tough fight in the first two sets to conquer French underdog Alexandre Muller 6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:1, ultimately triumphing due to his superior strength.
"He played remarkable tennis, particularly in the closing stages of the second set, he was the better player," Zverev commended his opponent. "It's rather challenging conditions, it's quite hot today. So I'm content to advance."
Zverev's tenacity in the tiebreak
In contrast to his initial match against Davis Cup teammate Maximilian Marterer, Zverev avoided a demanding fourth set in the scorching 30+ degree heat of the Grand Slam tournament in New York. In the tiebreak of the second set, Zverev rallied from a 2:5 deficit to claim five consecutive points.
The 27-year-old will face Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the round of 32, who overcame his compatriot Francisco Cerundolo in five sets.
Zverev played in the Louis Armstrong Stadium, where it was somewhat cooler due to the shade and some breeze. Over there, Niemeier struggled against ice packs on her head against the New York midday sun. For the first time in two years, the Dortmund tennis player advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam tournament. The 25-year-old subdued Japanese Moyuka Uchijima 6:4, 6:0.
"It's something extraordinary to make it to the third round," Niemeier enthused. "It was crucial to maintain that momentum from the outset of the second set and continue attacking."
Regaining lost ground
Niemeier dictated the tempo from the get-go in the sweltering 30+ degree heat and overcame the Japanese player who had previously bested Tamara Korpatsch. Niemeier will now confront Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen from China. Her close friend Eva Lys, however, failed to secure a second-round spot with a narrow 2:6, 6:1, 5:7 defeat to Czech Marie Bouzkova.
Niemeier stunned the arena by reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2022 and the US Open round of 16, but then plummeted to a low, slipping to world No. 175. This season, she's on the rise again, currently No. 101 and poised to rejoin the top 100 after the US Open. "It wasn't simple, it's satisfying to see that we've stayed the course," she said. "I have a team that has always trusted in me. It's wonderful to be able to repay them now."
Niemeier on transformation: "A whole new player"
"I'm a whole new player, a whole new individual," Niemeier describes her transformation since her ascent two years ago. "I've grown more mature as a player and as an individual." She interprets tennis "in a whole different manner" now, thanks to Michael Geserer - her manager who has been training her primarily since the end of last year.
Niemeier dominated the match, with most points determined by her winning shots or mistakes. At 4:3, she received treatment for her left foot with a cream and bandage due to blisters.
With a loose backhand error from Uchijima, Niemeier seized her serve and, after 61 minutes, clinched the first set. The Japanese player's resistance weakened significantly. Following a lengthy pause at the changeover, Niemeier reeled off six games in rapid succession. With the second match point, the Borussia Dortmund supporter secured her place in the third round and $215,000 in prize money after 96 minutes.
Zverev and Niemeier both secured their spots in the third round of the US Open, continuing their impressive performances at the Grand Slam tournament. In the men's draw, Zverev will face Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who also advanced in a five-set match. On the women's side, Niemeier will meet Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the next round, looking to build on her impressive comeback this season.
