“If you have a second chance, go for it!” Lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff PREACHES ‘million dollar’ life lesson ahead of Madrid final
'Lucky Loser' Jan-Lennard Struff is in the middle of a dream run at the 2023 Madrid Open.
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Jan-Lennard Struff
Jan-Lennard Struff has had a sensational run at the 2023 Madrid Open, as only Carlos Alcaraz stands in the way of a fairytale ending for the German. The 33-year-old booked a place in the finals of the Madrid Open, after a dramatic semifinal victory over Aslan Karatsev.
The German’s run in Madrid has been coupled with courage and fate. Jan-Lennard Struff made it to the main draw only via a lucky loser spot, after he was defeated in the second round of qualifying. He was defeated by Aslan Karatsev in the qualifying campaign, the same opponent whom he beat a week later in the semifinals.
Jan-Lennard Struff explained that there were spots for two lucky losers, after Fabio Fognini and Constant Lestienne pulled out of the draw. “I lost at 11 in the morning. The match wasn’t that long. Maybe 12:30 I was out. Then I heard that one guy pulled out, I think Lestienne was it, and Fognini pulled out, and if they pull out during the qualies draw, they will decide by lot or put coins,” said the German.
“There were two Lucky Losers, so they take three in total. And after the qualies finished they did it, and they have always one representative to take the coins, and luckily he took me. He texted me straightaway, and I knew this guy, it was a bit lucky, I don’t know,” he added.
Jan-Lennard Struff heaps praise on ‘complete player’ Carlos Alcaraz
Jan-Lennard Struff heaped praise on Carlos Alcaraz, whom he reckons as a complete player. The German has the edge in terms of their head-to-head meetings on clay court, as he defeated the 2022 US Open champion in their only meeting at the French Open a couple of years ago.
Jan-Lennard Struff believes that what Carlos Alcaraz has achieved at such a young age is quite sensational. The 33-year-old believes that the youngster has plenty of lethal weapons up his sleeve, which makes him a very tricky opponent.
“Carlos is now 20 years old today. We played in Roland Garros when he was 18. For a young player like him, he changed so much in this time. When we see what he achieved in this last two years, it’s just amazing,” said Struff.
“Yeah, I managed to beat him in Roland Garros. From the matches as well in Wimbledon, it was very intense match, very, very — he’s a complete player. He has a lot of weapons. He’s serve and volleying, playing strong from the baseline, serving well, he has a dropshot. He’s very fast. He’s a great athlete,” he added.
Jan-Lennard Struff has already played five three-set matches at the 2023 Madrid Open. He also defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals, which is his second top-10 victory in the last couple of weeks. The 33-year-old was relieved about having a day off on Saturday, after two gruesome three-set battles.
“So, yeah, I just remember that it was two tough battles, and I’m happy that I have a rest day tomorrow. It was for me two tough battles now in a row, and I will be ready to prepare for Sunday. Really, really happy to be in the finals, and really looking forward to this match,” he added.
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Nirmit Mehta
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