2023-08-30 21:46:00
The Swiss Dominic Stricker caused the first big surprise at the US Open in New York.
The 21-year-old qualifier defeated world number seven Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece in a thrilling marathon match 7-5, 6-7 (2-7), 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (8-6), 6th :3 and made it into the third round for the first time in his third Grand Slam.
The favorite came close to victory in the fourth set when he served to win the match at 5:3, but was broken. In the tie-break he was only two points away from winning the match at 5: 4, 5: 5 and 6: 6. But Stricker kept his nerve. The Swiss showed two strong serves, and Tsitsipas made two backhand errors.
Stricker speechless after victory
“I felt good from the start,” said Stricker afterwards, exhausted: “It was a tough fight, but it feels fantastic. I’m speechless.”
It was also his first win against a top ten player. In the second round of qualifying, Stricker had to fend off a match point in the 6: 7 (2: 7), 6: 4, 7: 6 (13:11) against the Spaniard Pablo Llamas Ruiz.
Tsitsipas, who was in the final at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, has never reached the second week of the tournament in New York with six participations.
Stricker, who has already earned $191,000 in prize money by qualifying for the third round, will now face Benjamin Bonzi (France) or Christopher Eubanks (USA/No. 30).
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