Jan-Lennard Struff has made it at last. In his seventh match here the German Davis Cup player has won a match at the grass tournament in Halle. Jan-Lennard Struff won against Laslo Djere 6:4, 6:4.
“It’s my home tournament here in Halle. I was even here as a child to watch. I have played here six times and never won a match. I am so happy that this curse is over. Now I can see how far I can get this year”, a clearly very relieved Jan-Lennard Struff stated.
The spectators at the GERRY WEBER STADION saw a highly motived Jan-Lennard Struff from the beginning onwards, whose overall strong service and his forehand tormented his opponent.
The match started with two very solid service games. Laslo Djere and Jan-Lennard Struff, too, served excellently. Laslo Djere was dangerously near to losing his service at 2:2 and 30:40 for the first time. In the following long rally, the Serb played towards Jan-Lennard Struff’s backhand. It was, however, the Germans cracking forehand that made the break to bring it to 3:2. Jan-Lennard fended off three break points and secured his service to make it 4:2. And then he wasn’t to be stopped, won the first round after 35 minutes 6:4.
Serving by both went on superbly up to a score of 4:4 in the second set. But then Jan-Lennard Struff unpacked him dangerous forehand again. The German used his first break point to win the match. Even though he had to serve facing the sun, he wasn’t going to let go of victory. Just like the first set, he ended the second round and with that the match with an ace. After 68 minutes the score was 6:4, 6:4 and he was able to walk off the grass as winner for the first time in Halle.
Jan-Lennard Struff now faces no. three seeded Karen Khachanov (Russia).
