Paris (From our reporter) – Macháč was the first to finish his match in hot Paris, and despite his brave performance, it was not enough to beat defending champion Alexander Zverev. He took away the favorite’s serve in the opening game, but the German subsequently took over the activity. He broke the serve of the native of Beroun twice and took care of winning the opening set.
The second act was already much more balanced, Macháč’s lost serve was decided at 5:5. Zverev thus returned the Czech tennis player’s Monday defeat in the mixed doubles, when, alongside Laura Siegemundová, they lost to the Czech pair of Macháč and Siniaková 4:6, 5:7 as seeded number one.
Photo: Claudia Greco, Reuters
Jakub Menšík did not pass the US representative Tommy Paul.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t use the chance I had in the second set to look into the third. There, I could get 1:6, but also win 6:3,” said Macháč. “I’m disappointed. But I’m also very happy that we turned the tables. The opponents are excellent singles players, both skilled, in doubles it was challenging, but we managed it.”
In the early evening, Macháč had a taste for himself when, alongside Adam Pavlásk, he knocked out the Chilean pair of Jarry and Tabilo after a huge battle 5:7, 7:6 (8:6) and 10:4. In the battle for the semi-finals, the Czechs will face the second seeded German pair of Krawietz, Puetz.
“I still think a medal is very far away. We’re closer than we were in the first round, but I try not to think about that. I don’t think Tom does either. We will do our best, try to get closer to the plate. But I personally don’t want to put it in my head,” said Adam Pavlásek.
Eighteen-year-old Menšík also dropped out of the singles. He was only able to keep up with the tournament’s number nine Paul until 3:3 in the opening set. The American then quickly won two breaks, won the first set, and in the second, he clearly reigned over the Czech Olympic debutant, who produced 26 unforced errors.
“I burned alive today, it was challenging conditions. It was mainly a fight with myself and above all not to boil,” said Menšík. “In the first set it was still flat, I was maybe better at the beginning. Then I felt physically crappy, which could be seen in the second set, when the performance went down rapidly. But I’m leaving the Olympics with my head held high.”
Barbora Krejčíková is already among the top eight. She defeated the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in Paris 7:6, 2:6, 6:4. The winner of this year’s Wimbledon and Roland Garros from 2021 defeated the world number 31 in two hours and 48 minutes. In the fight for the semi-finals, she will face the Slovakian Anna Karolína Schmiedlová, who eliminated the fifth-seeded Italian Jasmine Paoliniová after sets 7:5, 3:6, 7:5. She won over Svitolina despite 58 unforced errors.
“I am very happy with the single, that I won it. We both wanted it badly, we fought until the last ball. I’m glad that I succeeded, that I progressed further and that I can still fight for a medal,” said Krejčíková.
And that was not all from the Wimbledon champion. Together with Kateřina Siniaková, she successfully started the defense of the gold from Tokyo also in the doubles with a win over the Taiwanese couple Chan Chao-ling, Chan Jüng 6:4, 6:0.
Olympic Tournament Men’s Singles, 2nd round:Zverev – Macháč 6:3, 7:5Minor – Paul 3:6, 1:6Men’s doubles, 2nd round:Macháč, Pavlásek – Jarry, Tabilo 5:7, 7:6, 10:4Women’s Singles, Round 3:Svitolina – Krejčíková 6:7 (5:7), 6:2, 4:6Women’s Doubles, Round 1:Čchan, Čchan – Krejčíková, Siniaková 4:6, 0:6
