Alexander Zverev focuses on the ball. © APA/afp / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

Zverev continues to struggle – Thiem’s farewell is short

Jannik Sinner steps onto the hard court in New York on Tuesday evening. Nevertheless, there were many interesting matches to admire on Monday. Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem each played for a place in the next round - with different results.

August 26, 2024

From: dpa/tu

Alexander Zverev has struggled to reach the second round of the US Open. The 2021 Olympic tennis champion won the German duel with Maximilian Marterer in New York 6:2, 6:7 (5:7), 6:3, 6:2. After 2:53 hours, the world number four converted his first match point in a match with many mistakes on both sides. In the next round, Zverev will face the winner of the match between Frenchman Alexandre Müller and Adam Walton from Australia.

The 2020 finalist had several weak phases, especially in the second round, and was still far from his top form for the first Grand Slam title he was aiming for. Marterer had actually failed in qualifying for the US Open and only slipped into the main draw due to the withdrawal of the Finn Emil Ruusuvuori.

Marterer held his own. © ANSA / JOHN G. MABANGLO

At the Olympics in Paris, the 29-year-old Franke and Zverev, who is two years younger, shared a double room in the shared apartment of the German tennis professionals in the Olympic Village.

Thiem loses to Shelton

Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem has played his last Grand Slam match. The 30-year-old lost to American Ben Shelton 4:6,2:6,2:6 in the first round on Monday in New York at the site of his greatest career triumph. Thiem will end his career in around two months at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. As will be required at the home tournament, he has also received a wildcard for the last Grand Slam event of the year - and has been assigned to face Arthur Ashe.

The world's largest tennis stadium slowly filled up as more and more spectators wanted to see the 2020 tournament winner and the local hero, who, like 16 other Americans, is aiming for the first US Open title since Andy Roddick in 2003. Shelton had reached the semifinals last year and celebrated his greatest success to date there after defeating Thiem in the second round.

Ben SHelton (left) and Dominic Thiem (right) high-five each other. © APA/afp / TIMOTHY A. CLARY

The third duel between Thiem and Shelton took place again on the US Open stage, but under different circumstances: Shelton was ranked 13th in the world and Thiem only ATP 210. In the first set, the difference in ranking was barely noticeable, but Shelton kept the upper hand and won the first set. In the second and third sets, Shelton dominated, especially with his strong serve, and won clearly.

Thiem lost his 111th Grand Slam match after 1:50 hours and will celebrate his 31st birthday next week. After a wrist injury that set him back significantly in 2021, the Austrian has now had enough.

Olympic champion remains ice cold

The 2024 Olympic champion is also through. The Chinese Zheng Qinwen (No.7) had to fight against Amanda Anisimova (USA) in a 4:6,6:4,6:2 win. The eighth-ranked Casper Ruud is also still in the race; the Norwegian celebrated a 7:6(2),6:2,6:2 victory against the Chinese Bu Yunchaokete on Monday. The Greek Maria Sakkari (2) had to give up at 6:9 against the Chinese Wang Yafan due to a shoulder injury.