The German tennis star could crown his run at the Masters in Madrid with a win in the final. But there is no one else waiting there than the “invincible” Carlos Alcaraz. Does “Struffi” still create the sensation?
It’s the biggest match of his career: Jan-Lennard Struff is in the final of the ATP Masters in Madrid. And that against what is currently probably the best tennis player in the world, the Spanish local hero and world number one Carlos Alcaraz. “Struffi” could crown his spectacular run at the tournament in the Spanish capital with a sensational win against the 20-year-old.
Because the native of Warsteiner was actually already eliminated in the qualification. But: Due to some cancellations, Struff was given a second chance as “Lucky Loser” – and then marched unstoppably through the tournament, even knocking out top players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, fifth in the world rankings, on the way to the final.
“I’m just happy. It’s unbelievable and I never expected it,” said Struff after entering the final. Before that, in the semi-finals, after a hard-fought match, he had thrown out of all people Aslan Karazew – who had actually beaten him in qualifying.
With success, Struff could now be the fifth German after Boris Becker, Michael Stich, Tommy Haas and Sascha Zverev to win a Masters. Does it work?
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Carlos Alcaraz – Jan-Lennard Struff 2:3
1st movement, 2:3: Alcaraz complains that he doesn’t like the way the game went. After a successful return from Struff, the Spaniard is angry and exchanges his racket. It’s no use: Struff lets his young opponent run a lot, gets through his service game – and suddenly leads 3: 2.
1st movement, 2:2: What’s going on here? Alcaraz’ serves don’t come at all now, Struff always knows an answer, has three breakballs at 40:0 (!) – and makes the first one straight away. The Spaniard had no chance on Struffs Return.
1st sentence, 2:1: Struff plays his 1.98 meters, makes it 30-0 with a volley, then follows up with the next one, which Alcaraz can only return to the end. Alcaraz keeps making mistakes when Struff can play his powerful game. The point goes to the Germans.
1st set, 2:0: Strong by Struff. In the first spectacular rally of the game, both the 33-year-old and the Spaniard returned every shot before the German prevailed. And then puts in a strong return afterwards. But Alcaraz is not deterred, equalizes on the net with a forehand, then unpacks a strong serve that Struff can only bring back into the net. A backhand from the Spaniard is then too long, it’s about a tie. It goes back and forth: first a stop from Alcaraz, then a strong return from Struff, and the game lasts almost six minutes. Alcaraz hits a forehand in the net – and suddenly Struff himself has the chance to re-break – which he carelessly forgives. With a forehand, Alcaraz forces the advantage, but Struff stays tuned, we’re already over eight minutes into the game. With two strong serves, Alcaraz makes the point after all.
1st set, 1-0: Struff starts nervously, makes his first double mistake at 0:15. But then he makes his first point on the net and puts his backhand through. But then the next double fault – and Alcaraz has two break points straight away. He already uses the first one, Struff only brings his praise back to the end.
1st set, 0:0: Here we go. Struff has serve first.
Before the match: Struff is greeted with polite applause, as expected, local hero Alcaraz receives a storm of cheers – and runs into “Eye of the Tiger”. Just no pressure…
Before the match: So far, Struff and Alcaraz have met twice. Struff clearly won the first duel at the French Open 2021 6: 4, 7: 6 and 6: 2. Alcaraz prevailed at Wimbledon 2022, but struggled: 4: 6, 7: 5, 4: 6, 7: 6, 6: 4 in over four hours.
Before the match: The two opponents are already in the player tunnel. They are about to be announced by stadium announcer Feliciano Lopez.
Before the match: The tournament organizers are getting in the mood for the clash with a thrilling video…
