Doubles specialist Tim Pütz’s dream of winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open has been shattered – the crowd favourites were out of their league in a heated atmosphere in Melbourne
German Davis Cup player Tim Pütz and his New Zealand partner Michael Venus were beaten 5-7, 6-3, 3-6 by local heroes Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios in a heated Melbourne quarter-final.
The Kia Arena was like a witch’s cauldron, the fans cheered frenetically every time the two Australians won a point. At times, however, the cheering went beyond what was appropriate, for example with boos when Pütz and Venus served. With the win of the second set, they deflated a little – but only briefly. Kyrgios in particular kept whipping the crowd with exuberant gestures.
The 34-year-old Pütz was the last German in the singles or doubles competitions at the Australian Open. Most recently, he had caused a sensation when he reached the semi-finals with the German team in the Davis Cup alongside Kevin Krawietz. At Grand Slam level, his best results were two quarter-finals at the French Open (2020, 2021).
