Mega talent knitter – “It’s cool to see that I can keep up with the best”

He is 18 years old, plays his game like a professional, there is not a hint of nervousness to be felt on the outside. But that’s not the case, tennis talent Dominic Stricker said after his win against Marton Fucsovics in Geneva: “I’m very happy, I can’t really believe it yet. I’ve never been as nervous as I am today. ” Roger Federer said that one should be happy for Stricker, but not put him under too much pressure.

Against Pablo Andujar, Federer’s conqueror in the second round, Stricker seemed to start again calmly. In the second round on Wednesday against the Hungarian Fucsovics, the Bernese had started like the fire brigade and quickly led 3-0. Against the Spaniard, Stricker showed no respect either, initiated the first point with a nice stop and completed it with his two-handed backhand. The left-hander from Grosshöchstetten immediately got the break against the Spanish clay court specialist. The 35-year-old, the world number 75 and so far the worst classed opponent in this tournament, made too many mistakes at the beginning. Nevertheless, he stayed in the sentence and managed the re-break. Stricker’s talent flashed again and again, he radiated a security and a matter of course that can otherwise only be marveled at with seasoned professionals. In addition, Stricker served better against Andujar than against Fucsovics. The world number 419 managed a second break to 4: 3 in set 1 and he confidently secured the passage 6: 4. Stricker analyzed the sentence as follows: “I played my best tennis again and served well in the first sentence.”

The routine prevails

On Thursday there was no rain interruption as there was on Wednesday, in the most beautiful sunshine, Stricker immediately started with the break in the second set – also thanks to the kind help of his opponent, who was almost twice his age. Stricker continued to serve well, pulled off his power tennis and unpacked his whole punch repertoire, but he still received the re-break. Andujar, who has won four ATP titles in his career, including in Gstaad in 2014, took the lead for the first time in this game – 3: 4 from Stricker’s point of view. Did that make the 18-year-old nervous? Not at all, he won his next service game to zero. In the next game, Stricker had two break chances, but could not use them. Andujar did better, the Spaniard managed the break at the right moment, he took the second set 6: 4. The break came at an inopportune time for Stricker, of course: “It’s a shame. I stopped serving unbelievably, which also led to the break. “

It was Stricker’s first set loss on his debut at an ATP tournament. At the beginning of the third round he seemed a bit insecure, the thread was broken, the mistakes increased. So it was not surprising that Stricker had to give up his first service game. The left-hander caught himself, but ran after the break. Since Andujar did not play flawlessly either, Stricker managed to break the 3: 4. In the end, however, the breath wasn’t enough, the routine prevailed, Andujar made the decisive break, Stricker lost 6: 4, 4: 6, 4: 6 – his fairy tale debut on the ATP tour was over. Nevertheless, the tournament was a good experience for Stricker. The 18-year-old: “It’s cool to see that I can keep up with them. I will try to take advantage of that in the future too. ” (hua/fss)