Jurij Rodionov Advances to Final Qualifying Round at US Open After Eight-Game Losing Streak

2024-08-21 22:39:13

The Austrian current number two also breaks the second hurdle of qualifying in New York.

Jurij Rodionov is back on track after his eight game losing streak. The 25-year-old moved into the third and final round of qualification at the US Open in New York on Wednesday afternoon CEST. The Lower Austrian (ATP 201) also defeated the 20th seed Chun Hsin Tseng from Taiwan (ATP 115) in the second round after a 1:54 hour fight 6:4, 7:6 (5). This means that the red-white-red left-hander could follow fellow ÖTV Sebastian Ofner and Dominic Thiem (Wild Card) and Julia Grabher (Special Ranking) into the main competition at the Grand Slam shows in Flushing Meadows. Rodionov will now play on Thursday at 17:00 CEST against Kyrian Jacquet (ATP 209), the final of this year’s ATP 125 Challenger in Salzburg, for a place in the 128 main draw. The Frenchman lost to South Korean Seong-chan Hong (ATP 154) 4:6, 6:3, 7:5 after saving a match point. The draw for the main fields will also take place at 6:00 CEST.

“I felt great on the court for the first time in a few weeks/months,” said Rodionov after his opening 6:4, 6:2 win on Monday (local time) over the former world number 26 of Serbia. Filip Krajinovic (ATP 634) reported with relief on his official Facebook page for fans. This positive feeling may have continued with the second appearance. Although Tseng started the match better with a 2-0 lead, including the match ball to make it 3-0, Rodionov immediately hit back as receiver and hit again in the ninth game of the first set to decide make the game. In the second round, the Austrian Davis Cup player was usually closer to a break, and missed three chances in the first game, but at 4:5 and 30:40 he was suddenly facing a set point. However, former pro protégé Gilbert Schaller was able to defend this and break to 6:5 in the next game, but could not be sidelined after that. He had a better finish during the tie break and used the second match point. In his third appearance in the Big Apple after 2021 and the opening victory in 2023, Rodionov is in the final qualifying for the second time and will again hope for his main draw.