Local hero Jan-Lennard Struff has tried to survive the first round at the GERRY WEBER OPEN for the sixth time. And has failed for the sixth time. Normally, HalleWestfalen is a good place to be for the 28 year old having played outstanding matches in the Tennis-Bundesliga here. But on grass it looks completely different. This time he lost to Davis-Cup player Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain, who after all is the No. 4 seed.
Formally, in the 1990s, it might have turned out differently: Struff, the giant with a strong service, Bautista Agut, the classical baseline-player. On grass that would have then meant an advantage for the German. But today all types of play stand a chance on grass. Because of his precise and powerful game, the Spaniard has even reached the round of sixteen in Wimbledon. In this match he also had the first break points, but gave them away.
But the key moment of the match was in the ninth game of the first set. Struff had four break points. But no matter how hard he tried, he wasn't able to take the Spaniard's service. And you know how the old saying in tennis about giving away your break points: Bautista-Agut took his opponent's service game: 6:4. Especially after his second serve the German just didn't get enough points (28 %). Struff then tried more variations from the baseline, but the Spaniard nearly always had a better answer. A fast break in the second round and the direction in which the match was going was clear. After 71 minutes this meant 6:4, 6:1.
"He played well in the second set", he stated after losing. But Jan-Lennard Struff doesn't really know why of all things he's never won at his home tournament. "I've given all I can in training but again, it was just not to be. But don't worry: I'll be back to try again."
