(New York) The Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, seventh player in the world, was beaten on Wednesday by the Swiss Dominic Stricker (N.128) in the second round of the United States Open, 7-5, 6-7 (2/7) , 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.
To sign this feat, the debonair-looking Swiss slugger bravely played his luck with flashes, constantly looking for the killer shot, often close to the lines.
In total, the former junior world number three, with no real reference on the main circuit, signed no less than 78 winning shots.
Facing him, Tsitsipas was, at times, able to count on his first ball (22 aces), especially during the two consecutive decisive games in the second and third set.
PHOTO KENA BETANCUR, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Swiss Dominic Stricker
But he also exposed himself in the second ball to the counterattacks of Stricker, who took the service of Tsitsipas six times.
The Swiss also stormed the net, with a nice success (42 points gained uphill).
This is the first benchmark success for Stricker, who recently explained that he had disciplined himself on the diet plan, one of his weak points.
In the third round, Stricker will cross paths with the winner of the match between Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi and American Christopher Eubanks.
Djokovic qualified without trembling for the third round
PHOTO ANGELA WEISS, FRANCE-PRESSE AGENCY
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic quietly continued his road to a 24 on Wednesdaye Grand Slam title by outclassing the Spaniard Bernabe Zapata (76e) 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in two hours sharp in the second round.
“The first race was complicated because it’s hot and very humid. Then the shadow covered the court and it got a little better. But it’s the same for both players,” commented Djokovic.
“I did not start the match very well, but in the second and third sets, I raised my level by two or three notches”, he welcomed, however, considering being able to “play better than that” .
The 36-year-old Serb, world N.2, but already assured of becoming N.1 again at the end of the tournament whatever the results, will be opposed on Friday to his compatriot Laslo Djere (38e) for a place in 8are of final.
Djokovic, absent last year for refusing the covid vaccine, is hoping to win a fourth title at Flushing Meadows to equal the all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles held by Margaret Court.
Ruud packs up
Casper Ruud, 5e world and finalist last year, was eliminated in the second round by the Chinese Zhizhen Zhang (67e) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 0-6, 6-2.
The 24-year-old Norwegian reached the final at Roland-Garros again this year, as in 2022, but he was beaten in the second round in Australia, at Wimbledon and therefore at Flushing Meadows. It is therefore Zhang who will face the Australian Rinky Hijikata (110e) for a place in 8are of final.
A clay-court specialist, Ruud has not scored two consecutive victories on hard courts this season.
Zhang, he had played five Grand Slam tournaments before these United States Open: he had always lost in the first round, with the exception of Roland-Garros this year when he reached the third round.
Against Ruud, he managed 60 winning strokes (against 39 for his opponent) and committed 41 unforced errors (against 32).
He reached the quarter-finals this year in Madrid, where he was the first Chinese to reach this stage in Masters 1000, and the semi-finals in Hamburg. In October 2022, he became the first Chinese to join the top 100 of ATP.
