The first lucky loser to reach a Masters 1000 final - EVER 🤯 @Struffitennis fights past Karatsev to make history in Madrid! #MMOpen
Jan-Lennard Struff continued his extraordinary year by beating red-hot Aslan Karatsev 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid Open semi-final setting up a clash against Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
These two players faced off in the qualifiers for this event with Karatsev winning easily in two sets but both ended up in the main draw. Both also played sensational tennis all week long to advance to the semi-final. Neither went this deep at this type of event before and it was a worthy semi-final.
Struff jumped out to an early 3-2 lead in the opening set but Karatsev turned things completely around taking a 5-3 lead and holding for the 6-4 finish. He was simply a lot sharper than Struff in that set posting 11 winners and only 2 unforced errors. The second set saw Struff come back early taking a 3-0 lead and holding it for a 6-3 finish.
He was much better in that set outplaying Alcaraz who wasn't as precise as in the first set while Struff dominated. The final set also saw Struff outplay Karatsev behind good play once more. He served and risked far more than the Russian in crucial moments which allowed him to break and then hold his serve.
He proved himself clutch once more outlasting an opponent in the final set.
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Who is making up these rankings btw?
AceOfBase23-11-2024 - Paolini remarkably low. Must have won tons of matches against lower ranked players. Kind of like these rankings. Seem to be more fair.MrAndreeva23-11-2024
- Why does Tennisuptodate feel like her PR Department's constant deluge of daily/weekly media submissions are 'tennis news' ?
mandoist19-11-2024 - 'Apologies', in cases like this where people are caught being their True Selves, are best shoved up their butts.mandoist19-11-2024
- Paolini playing Swiatek and then has to come back an hour later to play doubles. The BJ Cup is like the rest of tennis entrepreneurs.PalopoDave18-11-2024
