Google News Jan-Lennard Struff on shocking Stefanos Tsitsipas: Got out of many tricky situations
by DZEVAD MESIC
Jan-Lennard Struff credited being able to "get out of so many tricky situations" for his shock win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in Madrid. Struff, who was beaten in the Madrid qualifying and entered the main draw as a lucky loser, stunned fourth-seeded Tsitsipas 7-6 (5) 5-7 6-3 to reach the Madrid Masters semifinal.
Struff saved a set point in the 10th game of the first set, before coming back from 4-1 down in the first-set tie-break to seal the opener. In the second set, Tsitsipas earned the first break of the match in the 12th game and served out for a decider in the following game.
Struff bounced back after losing the second set as he broke Tsitsipas in the fourth game and then held on to his service for the remainder of the third set to complete a three-set win.
Struff: I got out of many tricky situations against Tsitsipas
"He was serving so good the whole match and it was so tough to get into points.
But I somehow won the first set. I felt like he was better in the first set. I got out of many tricky situations. He was 4/1 up in the tie-break. I thought I played [in] the second set a very, very good set, but I played a bad game at 5-all.
And in the third set I came out aggressive again and it was a huge win for me," Struff said, per the ATP website. In the Madrid semifinal, Struff plays against qualifier Aslan Karatsev. In the final round of Madrid qualifying, Karatsev defeated Struff 6-4 6-2.
"Aslan is playing amazing this week so far and he beat me pretty easily in qualies I need to say. I didn't play the best tennis in that match, but he made me play not good I feel likee. I think we need to analyse it now, focus on the match tomorrow and I hope I can do better," Struff said. It remains to be seen if Struff can beat Karatsev for his first Masters final.