Struff oldest first-time men's Slam quarter-finalist in Open era / Photo: Henry NICHOLLS - AFP
Struff oldest first-time men's Slam quarter-finalist in Open era
German Jan-Lennard Struff became the oldest first-time men's Grand Slam quarter-finalist in the Open era, as Hubert Hurkacz retired injured during the fifth set of their last-16 Wimbledon tie on Sunday.
The world number 74 booked a place in his first major quarter-final at the age of 36, after fighting back to lead 3-6, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/2), 7-5, 4-2 when Poland's Hurkacz called it quits on Court Two.
"I'm 36 years old, fourth round here for the first time, quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time, you should never give up," said Struff, who followed fellow veteran Novak Djokovic into the quarters after the 39-year-old's win earlier Sunday.
"We have so many players competing who are a bit older, for example Novak. It's unreal what he's doing. He's a role model and he keeps me pushing."
Struff broke Fabrice Santoro's record for oldest man to make the last eight at a Slam for the first time, set at the age of 33 by the Frenchman 20 years ago.
Struff will next face either reigning champion Jannik Sinner or Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki.
It is Struff's 47th Grand Slam main-draw appearance.
Only Santoro had to wait longer in terms of tournaments before reaching a maiden major quarter-final, making the last eight at the 2006 Australian Open in his 54th Slam.
Struff has pulled himself back from the brink several times this week at the All England Club, particularly in the first two rounds against Sebastian Baez and Brandon Nakashima.
"Crazy, I was down in the first match, two sets to love, down a break in the third, second round my opponent was serving for the match," said Struff, who has spent almost 14 hours on court already during the tournament.
"Then today, two sets to love down, just crazy."
Struff had previously lost three times in the fourth round of Grand Slams, including to Djokovic at last year's US Open.
R.Zaccone--PV
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