Jan-Lennard Struff has delivered a genuine surprise at the French Open, defeating Kazakhstan’s world number ten Alexander Bublik with a score of 7:5, 6:7 (6:8), 6:4, 7:5. The 36-year-old from Warstein celebrated his advancement to the second round after a strong performance.
«I am happy. That was a tough match. The conditions were difficult,» Struff told Eurosport. «The support here on the court was outstanding, there were so many Germans. Simply outstanding.» Eurosport expert Boris Becker rejoiced in a «very important victory for our man. It was high time that he beat a player like that again.»
Following Alexander Zverev, Struff is the second German participant to overcome his opening hurdle in the men’s singles. Daniel Altmaier, also in action on Tuesday, aims to follow suit. The player from Kempen, who recently reached the quarterfinals in Hamburg, is set to challenge world number five Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Struff, who reached the round of 16 in Paris in 2019 and 2021, had recently suffered a first-round exit in Hamburg and traveled to the top event without immense self-confidence. Against Bublik, who reached the quarterfinals in Paris last year, he nevertheless worked diligently towards his success. He had clearly defeated him in the second round of Paris in 2024 – and is now celebrating another victory.