Miedler Defeats Long-Time Doubles Partner Erler at US Open

Lucas Miedler, with doubles partner Marc Polmans, defeated Alexander Erler and Robert Cash in the second round of the US Open. They advance to the Round of 16 with scores of 2:6, 6:3, and 6:4.

Erler and Miedler formed a doubles partnership for many years, which was quite successful. Together, they celebrated seven titles on the ATP Tour and nine titles on the Challenger Tour. Three titles were won in front of a home crowd: two in Vienna and one in Kitzbühel.

Lower Austria Beats Tyrol

Erler, born in Innsbruck, and his partner Cash from the USA controlled the first set. They secured a break in the very first game and again at 4:2. The set ended 6:2.

The second set was much more balanced. Miedler, from Tulln, and Polmans from Australia got the break to make it 4:2. The first set point was converted to level the sets at 6:3.

At the US Open, a "normal" set is played when the score is 1-1 in sets, instead of a Champions Tie-break to ten.

Miedler and Polmans demonstrated ice-cold timing. They converted their first break point at 2:2. After that, they left nothing to chance, converting their third match point to win 6:4. They thus advance to the Round of 16 of the US Open.

No Trouble for Alcaraz

In singles, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz prevailed against Tommy Paul without a major fight. The Spaniard defeated the local hero 6:4, 6:3, and 6:4.

If the second seed wants to remain in the tournament, he probably needs to improve his efficiency on break chances. Alcaraz earned a total of 14 break points, but only converted four of them.

Can Tsitsipas Save the 150-Year-Old Streak?

In the quarterfinals, Alcaraz will face either Ben Shelton from the USA or Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece. The latter has a special honor to save:

Since 1877, there has been at least one player in the semifinals of every Major tournament who plays with a one-handed backhand. Tsitsipas is the last remaining player in the US Open field who can extend this streak.