Michael Kohlmann is once again in a dual role at the US Open: as coach of Maximilian Marterer. And of course as German Davis Cup captain.
tennisnet: Before we get to the chances of the German players – what did you notice during the qualification matches?
Michael Kohlmann: I don’t understand why people play without Hawkeye. Especially as this year this is possible on all courses. I can’t understand why they don’t do that as a qualification yet. It would be more helpful for the players on the one hand, and more professional on the whole. The places are extremely slow compared to the last years, I also noticed that. That’s a big difference. That will please Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer rather less.
tennisnet: Only Yannick Maden fought his way into the tournament from the qualification. How do you rate this result?
Kohlmann: Firstly, we have eight players in the main field this year. There were only five men in the qualifying, very many of them were just outside, such as Tobias Kamke, who always competes here. Or Dustin Brown. Dominik Köpfer, who came in at Winston Salem as Lucky Loser and won another round there. There is another Jan Choinski, Kevin Krawietz or Tim Pütz, all between 250 and 300. So we were relatively thin, but now with nine players in the main draw you can be satisfied.
tennisnet: Germany’s greatest hopes naturally rest on Alexander Zverev, who has now brought Ivan Lendl to his team. In Paris and Wimbledon Zverev has left much strength in the first rounds…
Kohlmann: Yes, but every tournament is different. Between Paris and Wimbledon Sascha didn’t play much, she didn’t train much, so the preparation wasn’t perfect. She was for Paris already, that’s why Sascha was able to turn these matches around. Here was again a good preparation. He’s had enough time to train.
tennisnet: So not so bad that Zverev went out early in Cincinnati?
Kohlmann: Well, Cincinnati is a topic of its own. Sascha played four times, lost the first match four times. There seems to be something he doesn’t like, be it the places, the hotel, the complex. But I am convinced that he will perform well here.
tennisnet: Yannick Maden is the only German from the qualification. What distinguishes him?
Kohlmann: I really, really liked Yannick. He can prolong the game very much, he is an unpleasant lot for all players.
tennisnet: Let’s come to your protégé, Maxi Marterer. How well prepared is he? What do you think of first-round opponent Kei Nishikori?
Kohlmann: That doesn’t read well right now. But when you see Nishikori playing in summer, he’s not in top form either. He lost to Robin Haase in the first round in Toronto and to Wawrinka in Cincinnati. So Nishikori didn’t have a lot of self-confidence either. Maxi played his first hard court tournament with Cincinnati. That was not yet so good, but also understandable, if one was on the road on ashes for so long before that. Last week we were in Vermont for some kind of invitational tournament. We played the same surface, the same balls. It was quiet, it was perfect for the preparation. We had enough training possibilities. Maxi also played well, beating Jeremy Chardy. I have a feeling he’s really on the right track. Whether this is enough for Nishikori, one must wait. But Maxi doesn’t go into the match without a chance.
tennisnet: Unfortunately, the draw also brought a German duel in the first round: Philipp Kohlschreiber against Yannick Hanfmann. The two know each other well – is Kohlschreiber still the clear favourite?
Kohlmann: Philipp is the paper favourite. But the constellation is difficult. The two train together in Oberhaching. Lars Uebel is actually responsible for both players. This is a special combination that would not have been necessary with a 128 screen. Yannick had to stop for a few weeks for arm problems in Vermont. It’s looking good again. Philipp stayed here after Cincinnati – and played doubles very well with Fernando Verdasco.
tennisnet: Jan-Lennard Struff has drawn a local hero with Smyczek. An unfortunate fate?
Kohlmann: I wouldn’t say that now. In general, Smyczek over 100 must be accepted as the main field player. Now it’s very slow here. Smyczek plays with a lot of spin on the forehand, the floor is more suited to him.
tennisnet: Peter Gojowczyk has to deal with Nicolas Jarry, who won against Struff in Winston Salem.
Kohlmann: Yes. Don’t underestimate the Jarry. One of my international favourites, that’s a very, very hard lot for Gojo. On the other hand, Peter is always dangerous on hard court, that’s his best surface, just remember Metz, where he won last year. So I think he has a chance here against Jarry. Jarry has won quite smoothly on ashes in Hamburg, but Gojo can win this match.
tennisnet: Florian Mayer wanted a different lot than Borna Coric for his last US Open.
Kohlmann: Borna Coric has also been to Vermont, played twice and lost twice. I don’t know what the attitude was. It is definitely a modest fate. At least it will be a bigger place where Flo can present himself again. Coric is just very unpleasant for him, because he makes hardly any mistakes, is incredibly fit. The weather doesn’t bother him – and neither do the slow courses.
tennisnet: Remains Mischa Zverev against Taylor Fritz. How do you see its chances?
Kohlmann: I’ve seen them play against each other in Australia before. I think Mischa has very, very good chances because he can cause Fritz problems with his slice.