Dominic Stricker continues his magnificent course at the US Open
Keystone
Dominic Stricker continues to soar at the US Open. The Berner also wrestles down the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. He keeps the upper hand in the second five-set match in a row and is in the round of 16.
It was not an easy task that Stricker was given two days after the coup against world number seven Stefanos Tsitsipas. The five-set win against the Greek not only demanded everything physically from the 21-year-old from Bern. After the biggest success of his still young career, Stricker was also mentally challenged.
It was certainly not easy to process what had happened, to concentrate on the next task, to accept that expectations, including his own, had increased in this short time – especially against an opponent against whom he was quite opposed allowed to calculate chances.
Increase after false start
At first it seemed too heavy a burden that Stricker carried with him onto the pitch. He struggled, couldn’t find the kick. He had to let Bonzi dominate him. After 13 minutes he was 0:4 behind, after half an hour the Frenchman, who had moved into the main draw thanks to a wildcard, had sealed the first set 6:2.
Stricker was challenged even more. Improvements were needed – and the left-hander was able to improve. Bonzi’s dominance, currently number 108 in the world and 20 places ahead of the Swiss, but had already been number 42 in the ranking at the beginning of February, began to crumble. Stricker met the Frenchman, who had to pause for two months in mid-April due to an injury to his left wrist and after his return to the competition arena, had not found his kick again until the start of the US Open, at eye level.
With the 7: 5 in the second and the 7: 6 (7: 4) in the third set, he had also pulled the advantages to his side in terms of results. These advantages slipped away from him again in the fourth round. But he showed the next, the decisive reaction to the 3:6. Thanks to the 6:2 in the fifth set, his amazing course continues. The fairytale days in New York have a sequel.
In the top 100 for the first time
Regardless of the outcome of the round of 16, Stricker will be among the top 100 players for the first time in the next world rankings. He will definitely advance to around 85th place. His next opponent is either American Taylor Fritz, world No. 9, or Jakub Mensik. The Czech, who has been 18 since Friday and is ranked 206th, defeated Leandro Riedi in the second qualifying round.
sda
2023-09-01 23:54:00
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