Salvation in Basel for Stricker: “This victory feels really good”

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Dominic Stricker (21) had to complete no less than 53 days and three tournaments before he could finally use a match point again. Redemption follows in Basel. Stricker defeated German-Lebanese Benjamin Hassan (28) 7:6, 6:2 – showing a response to his weeks of bearishness since the US Open.

After the sensational advance to the eighth finals in New York, the Bernese struggled to build on his strong performance. First Mouilleron Le-Captif (Fr), then Bratislava, then Antwerp – everywhere he was eliminated in the first round. Also because after the highlights and the international spotlight, “a few percent was missing in my head,” as he admitted.

But now at the Swiss Indoors he is the “Mr. Cool,” which thrilled the crowd at Flushing Meadows. In the duel with Hassan, Stricker avoids difficult situations with a lot of class, but also with a certain maturity. The world number 96 is also not bothered when his opponent argues with the referee or makes a monster return at Stricker’s stupidest moment.

“Fans helped a lot”

Afterwards, the Swiss shooting star made no secret of the fact that a lot of pressure has now been removed: “I am very relieved. This victory in Basel feels really good. The fans helped me a lot today.”

Stricker has already achieved the Basel minimum target by triumphing over Hassan, who is at position 163 in the ATP rankings. He had to defend last year’s starting victory and the 45 points that came with it. That’s a big chunk of the 61 points to repeat from last season – and an important step to stay in the top 100 of the world rankings.

In round two he will meet either Norwegian world number eight Casper Ruud (24) or Kazakh Alexander Bublik (26, ATP 30). The two will meet on Wednesday. Stricker says, with the points already won in mind: “It doesn’t matter who, I will certainly be able to play more freely than in the opening match.”

Source : Blick