Thiem's 7: Struff will be subject to Rublev at the start
Jan-Lennard Struff lost 6: 3, 4: 6 and 13:15 to "Thiem´s 7" in Kitzbühel against Andrey Rublev .
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 07, 2020, 02:37 pm
Limited number of spectators, no line judges - but otherwise an environment that would do justice to every ATP tour: This is how the center court in Kitzbühel presented itself on Tuesday afternoon when Jan-Lennard Struff and Andrey Rublev launched the first game of the invitation event "Thiem's 7" in Attacked. Two players who are similar in terms of play: Both the German number two and Rublev tend to carry the ball flat over the net.
Struff dominated the first set as the more constant player, winning 6-3. In the second round Rublev struck at the right moment: In 5: 4, the Russian converted his second set ball, the decision had to be made in the match tie-break. There Struff made an early mini break, Rublev immediately struck back. The small advantages changed back and forth, Struff countered a mini break to 5: 6 with a soulful passing ball.
Rublev against Thiem on Wednesday
With a bit of luck and frame Rublev won 8: 7, but could not use his first match ball at 9: 7. Struff equalized to 9: 9 with an ace. Now the chances of winning the match changed, Struff missed a huge one at 13:12. Rublev said thank you. And then served at 5:13.
Struff will face Casper Ruud in his second match on Wednesday, Rublev will face host Dominic Thiem from 8:15 p.m. Ruud and Thiem followed Struff and Rublev on the opening day.