“Everyone only has one cross” – we already learned that from “Life of Brian”. And that’s why we chose one match for each German ATP ace. Completely subjective, of course.
by Jens Huiber
last edited: November 29, 2023, 6:53 p.m
Jan-Lennard Struff during his run in Madrid 2023
#1: Jan-Lennard Struff vs. Carlos Alcaraz, Endspiel, Madrid
Can you really open with a defeat in this section? Given the circumstances in Madrid 2023, you almost have to: Because Jan-Lennard Struff played his way through qualification and then with victories against Stefanos Tsitsipas, among others, to the final of the 1000 – and really demanded everything from defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Struffi registered his second home on the net, played aggressively – and in the end had to admit defeat with 4:6, 6:3 and 3:6, narrower than the result said. A few weeks later the next heartbreaker: Struff lost in the final in Stuttgart against Frances Tiafoe in the tiebreak of the third set. In an equally entertaining match.
#2: Daniel Altmaier vs. Jannik Sinner, Roland-Garros, second round
That’s just the magic of the best-of-five format that unfolds on very special afternoons. When a favorite falters slightly – and the supposed outsider recognizes the opportunity. And knows how to use it for yourself. Daniel Altmaier achieved this in Roland-Garros against Jannik Sinner – in an epic match that the German ultimately won 6:7 (3), 7:6 (7), 1:6, 7:6 (4) and 7 :5 won. The fact that the tank was empty afterwards was no surprise (and a joy for Grigor Dimitrov, Altmaier’s next opponent). But Daniel Altmaier will remember this afternoon at the Bois de Boulogne for a long time.
#3: Alexander Zverev vs. Laslo Djere, Hamburg, Finale
Alexander Zverev won 55 matches last season. There were some highlights, especially with the success against Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals or the victory against Jannik Sinner at the US Open. However: At the very end of the year, the German number one once again emphasized how important winning the title in his hometown of Hamburg was to him. Zverev didn’t give up a single set in any of his five games there, not even in the final against Laslo Djere. Zverev won the final 7:5 and 6:3, and did it again a few weeks later in Chengdu.
#4: Yannick Hanfmann vs. Andrey Rublev, Rome, round of 16
The 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Rome were hard work for Yannick Hanfmann. And it was quite easy for the Karlsruher. Hanfmann had to fight his way through qualification in both events. And neither in the Spanish nor in the Italian capital did it end afterwards. In Madrid, Hanfmann first beat Lorenzo Musetti and then lost to Daniel Altmaier. In Rome it was even enough to reach the quarter-finals. On the way there, Hanfmann defeated the resurgent Nicolas Jarry and then Taylor Fritz. But the masterpiece was probably the 7:6 (5), 4:6 and 6:3 against Andrey Rublev in the round of the last eight. The end came against the eventual tournament winner Daniil Medvedev.
#5: Maximilian Marterer vs. Brandon Nakashima, Danderyd (Challenger), Final
Yes, we want to take this highlight with us at the end of the tennis year. Especially since Maxi has reached position 90 in the ATP charts, so he can safely plan a main draw appearance at the Australian Open. And: Brandon Nakashima may not have had a great season in 2023, but a win against Pat Cash’s former protégé will still put you on a slim foot. And so Marterer cleaned up Nakashima in the Danderyd final 2:6, 6:4 and 6:3. Balm for Ismaning’s wounds too: Maximilian Marterer lost to Antoine Bellier in the final despite an almost perfect service performance.
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2023-11-29 19:45:00
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