"It Can Happen": Struff Analyzes His Lost Tie-Break Against Carreño Busta
Jan-Lennard Struff had five set points to give Germany a chance to stay in the race during the first singles match of the Davis Cup semifinal against Spain.
But, despite a 6-1 lead in the second set tie-break, the veteran collapsed, to everyone's astonishment. Pablo Carreño Busta took advantage to pull off an incredible comeback, stringing together seven consecutive points to secure the win.
Struff, shortly after the match, was asked about this tie-break that slipped away from him:
"The whole tie-break was a bit strange because I felt like I wasn't playing the rallies the way I wanted. He played very well on some shots. He made it difficult for me.
I came to the net on one point and he hit a very good passing shot. On that point, I told myself: 'Well, it can happen.' There was also a very contested point. I had a bit of bad luck, but I would say these are things that can happen."
Now trailing 1-0, Germany is counting on its No. 1 Alexander Zverev to pull off a decisive double.
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture
When tennis stars change courts: from Noah the singer to Safin the deputy, another match – the battle of reinvention
As a laboratory for tomorrow’s tennis, does the Next Gen Masters have a future?
Tennis: the little-known truths about the offseason, between rest, stress and physical survival