Good day for the German professionals at Wimbledon: Jule Niemeier has moved into the second round, and Jan-Lennard Struff also won in the evening.
Struff is in the third round of Wimbledon for the third time in his career. The 34-year-old from Warstein won a close match against Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen on Wednesday (July 3, 2024) with 5:7, 6:3, 7:6 (7:1), 7:6 (10:8).
Now Daniil Medvedev is waiting
The German number two’s next opponent is last year’s semi-finalist Daniil Medvedev from Russia. Daniel Altmaier’s match against Canadian Denis Shapovalov has been postponed until Thursday.
2nd round, men arrow right
“It was a difficult match. It was tough today. I had to find a way somehow, and I managed that,” said Struff on “Prime.” The wait was getting to him. “It was a brutal day. The women’s match lasted so long. I slept again and drank two espressos in between.” A “brutally difficult task” awaits him against Medvedev. My record is not so optimal against Daniil, but I will give it my all.”
Strong comeback after the first set
Struff showed resilience against his opponent, seeded 32nd, and managed a strong comeback after being down a set. Altmaier and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev have the chance to follow Struff with their second win.
Struff had clearly won his only previous match against Zhang in Stuttgart in 2023, and at Wimbledon it was the close duel that was expected. Both professionals relied on their strong service and a lot of power from the baseline. Struff adapted better and better to Zhang and deservedly won.
Niemeier leaves Golubic no chance
Jule Niemeier had previously improved the German women’s record at Wimbledon. The 24-year-old from Dortmund defied the rain chaos and made it into the second round, albeit late, thanks to a surprisingly smooth 6:2, 6:1 win against the Swiss Viktorija Golubic.
1st round, women arrow right
“Very tough waiting”
“The wait was very, very tough, but I stayed focused. This was one of the most consistent and best matches I’ve played in recent weeks. I feel very comfortable here, I’ve already been able to show that,” Niemeier said on “Prime”.
The 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinalist converted her second match point and will now face the Ukrainian Yelina Switolina. Niemeier was the second of the six German participants to advance in the women’s singles. Previously, only Laura Siegemund had made it to the second round.
Postponement from Tuesday to Wednesday
Their first round match was supposed to take place on Tuesday, but it turned out to be a test of patience. Due to bad weather, the organizers postponed the match by a day. On Wednesday, the organizers then pushed back the start of the match, which was scheduled for 11 a.m. local time, three times for a total of two hours.
When Niemeier finally took to the court to play against the Swiss player Golubic, the weather only held for two games. After six minutes and with the score at 1:1, the match was interrupted again, and played again after another 20 minutes.
Ruud loses to Fognini
Casper Ruud from Norway, on the other hand, had to throw in the towel surprisingly early. World number eight Ruud lost his second round match against Fabio Fognini from Italy in four sets with 4:6, 5:7, 7:6 (7:1), 3:6.
At the French Open in Paris, Ruud reached the semifinals, which he then lost to Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz and Gauff without problems, out for Osaka
Carlos Alcaraz did better. The Spaniard won his match against Aleksandar Vukic from Australia in three straight sets with 7:6 (7:5), 6:2, 6:2. In the women’s singles, co-favorite Coco Gauff beat Anca Alexia Todoni from Romania 6:2, 6:2. There was then a surprise on Center Court: American Emma Navarro eliminated Naomi Osaka from Japan with 6:4, 6:1.
Sinner wins after a great fight against Berrettini
Jannik Sinner has won the prestigious “Derby Azzurro” on the grass at Wimbledon. The world number one from Italy won a thrilling second-round duel against compatriot Matteo Berrettini 7:6, (7:3), 7:6 (7:4), 2:6, 7:6 (7:4). As a 2021 finalist, Berrettini had certainly figured out his chances against the high-flyer and held his own for a long time.
Sinner, who had some trouble in the first round against the strong Yannick Hanfmann from Karlsruhe, was challenged by Berrettini from the start. However, the 22-year-old remained calm in the decisive moments and secured the first two rounds.
When the tournament favorite began to slacken, Berrettini was there immediately and created tension on the packed Center Court. In the tiebreak of the ultimately decisive set, Sinner proved his resilience and brought the match to his side. His next opponent is the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
Murray plays doubles and mixed doubles as farewell
When Andy Murray announces his departure from Wimbledon, he will compete in the doubles as well as the mixed doubles, alongside young English star Emma Raducanu.
As the organizers in Wimbledon confirmed on Wednesday (July 3, 2024), Murray and Raducanu will receive a wildcard for the mixed doubles competition. The 37-year-old Murray is also registered for the Grand Slam tournament on grass in doubles alongside his brother Jamie. The 21-year-old Raducanu sensationally won the US Open three years ago.
Wimbledon and Olympia as a farewell tour
Murray had announced that this year would be his last time competing at Wimbledon, the site of his greatest triumph: in 2013, Murray was the first British singles player to win the title after Fred Perry and a dry spell of 77 years; in 2016, he celebrated his second triumph at Church Road.
Before he ends his career, the Scot also wants to take part in the Olympic Games in Paris, which begin at the end of July.
Start in individual cancelled at short notice
On Tuesday, three-time Grand Slam tournament winner Murray had to cancel his hoped-for start in the singles in London. The Scot had to undergo an operation on his back to have a cyst removed and lost the race against time to get fit again in time. The two-time Olympic champion was supposed to compete in the singles on Tuesday.
The doubles competitions begin on Wednesday, and the Murray brothers are expected to play their first match on Thursday. The mixed doubles competition would not start until Friday at the earliest.
