In this era of big-boy tennis, veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber is a throwback to a previous time.
“I’m not a striker, like I only hit one shot and hope that it’s a winner. I build up my point,” the 34-year-old German said after toppling fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev in four sets on Saturday to reach the US Open fourth round for the fifth time in the last seven years.
Kohlschreiber used that strategy to perfection to exasperate his highly touted 21-year-old countryman for the 6-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 upset.
“I don’t go for close-to-the-line shots. I try to play the first ball through the middle, coming over more and more shots. I would say that I’m a very solid guy,” Kohlschreiber explained.
“I had a good tactic. During the points I played with the right strategy. I played low balls, high balls, lot of angles. I think it’s also good for me that I have a big variety in my game. I think over time he got more frustrated,” said Kohlschreiber.
In the tale of the tape before they played, this looked like a mismatch. Not only was Kohlschreiber giving away a bunch of years, but he was also giving away eight inches and more than 40 pounds to his 6-foot-6, 198-pound opponent.
“Today I was maybe a little bit more clever,” said Kohlschreiber. “I think I played perfect with the (backhand) slice. Take out the speed, play the slow ball, and then try to attack the next one.”
To reach his first quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows, Kohlschreiber will be presented with a different type of test on Monday when he meets Japan’s Kei Nishikori. There will be no big size difference against the 28-year-old.
“He doesn’t have the huge power on the serve, but he’s putting his serve with a lot of quality, clever spots, a lot of body serve,” Kohlschreiber said of the 2014 US Open finalist who has battled a series of injuries through the last few years. “Very good backhand. He’s a great mover around the court.”
Kohlschreiber is 0-2 in career matchups against Nishikori, losing most recently at the Italian Open this spring.
“Usually I struggle a little bit more if guys take away my angle game and stuff like that,” admitted Kohlschreiber.
