News
6:4 , 6:2 – Clear Success for the Rothenbaum-Dominator Davydenko against Mathieu
Sunday 26. 07. 2009
The Russian, Nikoly Davydenko, triumphed at the International German Open 2009 at Hamburg Rothenbaum. 5,400 spectators watched Davydenko as he defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu from France 6-4, 6-2. The victory was the reward for a strong tournament week at Hamburg’s Outer Alster Lake and Davydenko will travel home with earned prize money in the amount of € 228,000 and 500 points for the ATP world ranking. On Monday, Davydenko will be back among the top ten players.
As a ‘consolation’, Mathieu received € 104,000 and 300 points. In lovely sunny weather, Hamburg’s tennis fans got to see a quite one-sided final as of the middle of the first set. Both players played really fast and took a lot of risks. With a lot of courageously played winners, Mathieu was quickly up 3-1, however could not maintain the level of speed and accuracy. Davydenko played more and more aggressively, won four games in a row to be up 5-3 and converted his first set point after 40 minutes with a dead straight backhand longline shot – one of his parade shots.
Whatever Mathieu tried Davydenko answered with his varied game. The second set was not any different. Thanks to a double break, the Russian quickly led 4-1 and already had one hand on the trophy. Mathieu’s rebreak did not really change the course of the match – the Russian was not to be stopped today. After 89 minutes, Davydenko played his first match point with a tough forehand and the triumph was perfect.
„This title is a little anniversary for me. It is my fifteenth tournament victory on the ATP Tour – that really makes me very proud,” Davydenko happily said about his success. He had quite some difficulties to lift the ship propeller, the new Rothbaum trophy. “It must weigh at least 15 kilos – fortunately, I came by car,” the number nine of the world smiled und promised the spectators that he will come back to Rothenbaum next year. “I always came here whether the tournament was in May or July – and I will also come next year.”
Paul-Henri Mathieu had to make do with the second place but was a fair loser. “I lost a lot of energy in the past days and Nikolay just played outstandingly today – Congratulations!”
Davydenko Follows Mathieu to the Final
Saturday 25. 07. 2009
Nikolay Davydenko followed Paul-Henri Mathieu into the final of the International German Open 2009. In an intense match, the former number 3 of the world beat the Spaniard, David Ferrer, after a hard-fought 2 hours and 13 minute match 7-5, 7-6 (2). “It was absolutely crazy. I didn’t play perfectly today but got lucky when it counted,” the Russian smiled and remembered that he came back after being down in both sets. As with the first semi-final, a match with a lot of highs and lows developed. At the beginning of both sets, Davydenko made a lot of mistakes but then came back by playing powerful baseline strokes. In the second set, the number two seed even defended his opponent’s set point and took his gloves off in the tiebreak. With the 4-0 lead, he set the course and finally converted his first match point. “It is going to be a tough match against Paul-Henri,” Davydenko predicted which will surely be to the spectators’ liking.
Rain could not Stop Mathieu’s Flight to the Final!
Saturday 25. 07. 2009
After a marathon semi-finals, Paul-Henri Mathieu from France reached the finals of the International German Open 2009 at Hamburg Rothenbaum. After 2 hours 53 minutes, Mathieu converted his first match point and won against the tournament’s surprise player, Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. The crowd got to see a semi-final match which was gripping at times and surely exciting right to the end. The French got off to a very aggressive start but, after a ten-minute ‘warm-up’, the qualifier, Cuevas, took over and won the first set 6-4. In the second set, the former swimmer from Uruguay was up a break but Mathieu gathered his energy and turned things round to win the second set 6-3, while heavy rain started pouring onto the site at Hamburg Rothenbaum. Masses of water rained on to the roof and, in two places, the construction did not sustain. First, water dripped onto the court before the rain poured onto the main stands like a waterfall which resulted in a 40-minute break until the rain subsided and the third set could be started. Again, things went back and forth. Mathieu was up a double break, leading the set 5-2 but Cuevas struck back, kept his cool and closed up to 5-5. Then the South American’s strength faded. In the end, Mathieu rejoiced when he made it to his first final since October 2008.
David Ferrer Stops Greul’s Flight
Friday 24. 07. 2009
German tennis fans will still have to wait for the first German winner at Hamburg Rothenbaum since Michael Stich in 1993. Simon Greul from Reutlingen was the last German representative who lost in the quarter-finals of the International German Open at Hamburg Rothenbaum. He did not really have any chance against David Ferrer and after 1 hour 03 minutes the Spanish Davis Cup player converted his third math point to win 6-2, 6-3. Ferrer clearly played more consistently and right from the start put Greul under pressure with his strong returns. The early break (3-1) assured him even more and boosted his self-confidence. Greul never gave up and played a few spectacular points, however, was no real danger for the Spaniard. In the end, the 53 places in the world ranking made were perceivable. Nevertheless, Simon Greul played one of his best tournaments of his career and can leave Hamburg his head held high. Today, Ferrer will play the Russian player, Nikolay Davydenko, who has become the top favourite to win the tournament. The match against the Rumanian, Victor Hanescu, was Davydenko’s first three-set match at Hamburg Rothenbaum. Nevertheless, he confidently won the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Only in the second set could Hanescu break into the Russians rhythm and win the second set of the match which was mainly marked by baseline duels. But at the beginning of the deciding set, Davydenko had found back his concentration and played in the fashion of a world class player. “I played a very good first set but then I lost my concentration a bit. Victor played a lot of stops, I had to run a lot and lost a bit of strength. After Victor’s injury break it got better and I found my rhythm again,” said the former number four of the world. “I feel really good and can control every ball. Only if I get too defensive I make too many mistakes,” the number two-seed judged his game.
First Semi-Finalist - Cuevas and Mathieu
Friday 24. 07. 2009
The first semi-finalists at Hamburg Rothenbaum are determined. In only 1 hour 14 minutes, the quali-player, Pablo Cuevas, from Uruguay confidently won his match against the favoured Spaniard, Nicolas Almagro 6-2, 6-4. It seemed as if Nicolas Almagro had used up too much of his energy in his match against the Swedish player, Robin Soderling, and thus did not really have a chance against his South American opponent, who just bristled with self-confidence. The Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, was able to save his energy. The French player who had defeated Daniel Brands profited from his Serbian opponent, Viktor Troicki, retiring due to a foot injury at 0-3. The German/Serbian doubles, Christopher Kas and Viktor Troicki, also had to withdraw. Therefore, Simon Aspelin/Paul Hanley (Sweden/Australia) have made it to the semi-finals by default
German Hopes Rest on Simon Greul
Thursday 23. 07. 2009
German hopes at the International German Open 2009 only rest on Simon Greul. During the night session at Hamburg Rothenbaum, the player from Reutlingen converted his match point at 23:43 o’clock to win the battle 7-5, 7-6 (9-7) against the Spaniard Ivan Navarro and thus is the only German to make it to the round of the last eight in Hamburg. It is Greul’s first time in the quarter finals of an ATP-event this year. After the pouring rain during the afternoon, Simon Greul started his match against Ivan Navarro on Court M2. However, around 21:00 o’clock at 5-5 in the first set it became too dark and the match had to be continued on the Centre Court. The match was only continued at 22:33 o’clock after David Ferrer had beaten Juan Monaco 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 on the Centre Court. Greul got off to a great start and won the first set 7-5 and showed strong nerves in the second set. He defended three set points in the deciding tiebreak and then coolly took the set. Today, another Spanish player, David Ferrer, will await Simon Greul. Might this be a good omen for the Swabian player?
Kohlschreiber and Soderling Defeated A huge disappointment for the German tennis fans!
Thursday 23. 07. 2009
Philipp Kohlschreiber did not make it past the round of last sixteen of the International German Open. Despite his partly strong performance, the German Davis Cup player was defeated by the Uruguayan, Pablo Cuevas 4-6, 6-7, (8-10) under the closed roof of the Centre Court at Hamburg Rothenbaum. After Daniel Brands also lost to Paul-Henri all German hopes now rest on Simon Greul, who still needs to play his match in the round of last sixteen against Ivan Navarro from Spain. Kohlschreiber tried everything and was always prepared to take risks. Cuevas, however, was a hint better when it counted. In the final phase of the first set, Cuevas rose his level and, with his outstanding shots, diversity of serves and many direct winners secured himself the first set 6-4. Moreover, Cuevas hardly made any mistakes and “Kohli” really had to fight hard for every point. In the tiebreak of the second set, Cuevas was up 5-1 but the player from Augsburg did not give up and even had set point. However, once again, the former swimmer from Uruguay got lucky and Kohlschreiber went belly-up. Cuevas converted his fourth match point and cheerfully lifted his arms towards the sky. “He is very talented and played the right shots at the right time today. Of course, it is disappointing to have lost round of last sixteen. All in all my game was too harmless today. So, I can’t really be satisfied,” Kohlschreiber analysed the match.
Afterwards the French Open finalist, Robin Soderling had to give in to his better opponent as well. The Swedish player had won the tournament at home in Bastaad the week before and now lost to Nicolas Almagro 5-7, 3-6.
Mathieu Stops Daniel Brands’ Flight
Thursday 23. 07. 2009
Daniel Brands' flight at the Hamburg Rothenbaum tournament is history. After his spectacular victory over the Frenchman, Gilles Simon, in the second round the upcoming player from Lower Bavaria was stopped by Paul-Henri Mathieu. After 1 hour 41 minutes, Mathieu converted his third match point to win the duel 7-5, 7-5. The spectators saw a match on a very high level in which the Frenchman better knew how to use his chances. While Brands did not make use of the three opportunities he had, his opponent risked everything when he was up 6-5 in the first and second sets and was finally rewarded.
Mathieu played a few magnificent returns to overpower his opponent and thus is the first player to make it to the round of the last eight.
ZVEREV’S HOME MATCHES ENDED
Wednesday 22. 07. 2009
Mischa Zverev’s „home run“ at the Hamburg Rothenbaum tournament ended much earlier than to the local hero’s liking. After a brilliant start, the player from Hamburg was defeated by his fellow countryman, Simon Greul, 6-0, 5-7, 1-6. In the first set, Zverev was quite in control of things and outplayed his opponent as if he were the sure winner of the match, but then cracked. From the beginning of the second set, the naturalness had deserted Zverev’s game and Greul played his way towards a sure victory in the third set. “Of course, I am glad I was able to turn things around but I actually wasn’t feeling bad right from the beginning of the match. We had a lot of close games but Mischa made the big points. But from the first game in the second set, I had found my way into the match.”
Florian Mayer was kicked out of the competition, too. He lost 3-6, 2-6 to the Spanish world-class player, David Ferrer. In the end, the player from Bayreuth could not oppose the aggressive Spaniard.
In his match against his fellow countryman, Juan Monaco, the number twelve seeded Argentinean player, Jose Acasuso, had to retire due to neck problems.
Soderling Remains in Race - Beck Knocked Out
Wednesday 22. 07. 2009
French Open finalist, Robin Soderling also demonstrated his good form at the International German Open at Hamburg Rothenbaum. The newly minted Bastaad tournament winner defeated Fabio Fognini from Italy 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in the second round. Early in the match, the “Swedish gladiator” had looked like the winner as he served for the match in the second set. But the Italian newcomer fought his way back into the match, got the break and the set, but was overpowered in the end.
„It was a tough match. I was also mentally a bit tired from Bastaad. Winning the tournament there was a huge success because I had lost the finals in Stockholm twice before. But I also played well here," the Swedish player added happy to be in the round of last sixteen.
Andreas Beck, however, was knocked out of the tournament. Despite his courageous performance, the player from Ravensburg was beaten by the winner of the Stuttgart event, Jeremy Chardy, 6-7, 6-7. In the end, it was just nuances, which made the difference. The higher quality of the French player secured him the big points. “I can’t really blame myself about anything because we both played on a very high level. I was just unlucky. Of course, Jeremy also has a lot of confidence after having won the tournament last week," said Beck.
Daniel Brands Achieves Sensation!
Tuesday 21. 07. 2009
It was the huge surprise of the International German Open at Hamburg Rothenbaum! Last night, Daniel Brands from Bogen bei Straubing in Lower Bavaria swept the world's number seven, Gilles Simon, from France off the Centre Court with an extraordinary performance. After he lost the first set, the “Bavarian giant” used his irresistible serve to fight his way back into the match and, after 2 hours 11 minutes, converted his fifth match point by serving an ace on his second serve. In the end, the wild card player took the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 and could not believe his luck when the spectators celebrated him with standing ovations. It was Brands first victory against a top ten player.
“It was unbelievable how the crowd supported me. It really pushed me. I had never experienced that before,” said Brands on the Centre Court and added: "maybe it was the best tennis I ever played. If I continue playing like that I might get far."
The longer the duel went on the more confidence he gained and dictated the match with his glass-hard serve, his precise forehand, as well as his courageous way of playing and going to the net. It was an extraordinary performance in a tingly atmosphere which makes people want more. In the round of last sixteen, Brands will play Paul-Henri Mathieu who beat Pere Riba from Spain in the tiebreak of the third set.
Favourites Robredo and Melzer Defeated
Tuesday 21. 07. 2009
With Tommy Robredo from Spain and Austria’s No. One player, Jurgen Melzer, the two top-seeded players were defeated in their first-round matches at the International German Open at Hamburg Rothenbaum. Robredo, the Number Four seed, lost the first match of the day on the Centre Court against his fellow-countryman, Ivan Navarro, 5-7, 6-7.
Melzer, however, fought a losing battle against the quali-player, Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay. The South American player won 7-6, 6-3.
Today, Paul-Henri Mathieu’s patience was put to test. The French player had to wait until the tiebreak of the third set to close off the match and beat Pere Riba from Spain.
Wild card player, Florian Mayer, won his first-round duel at the International German Open at Hamburg Rothenbaum. Florian Mayer beat the 2008 Wimbledon semi-finalist, Rainer Schuettler, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3. In a quite even match, Mayer lacked the necessary consistency during the tiebreak of the first set. However, as the match went on, the player from Bayreuth found his rhythm. Due to a stiff calf muscle, Schuettler had to be treated by the physio during the last set. “It is nothing serious,” Schuettler diagnosed his injury which, in the end, cost him the match. After having lost first round, the “shaker” is more than glad that the clay court season is over. “I just want to play better on hard court than I did on clay and will prepare myself for the tournaments in Washington, Montreal and the US Open,” Schuettler said.
“During the first set, I was just too annoyed with myself because my forehand was not working. Only in the middle of the second set was I calmer,” explained Mayer his “recipe for the victory”. After his long break, the Bavarian now feels excellent on the world’s tennis courts. “I am a completely different person and enjoy playing tennis again. Until the end of the year, I can surely advance in the rankings and will surely participate in all the big tournaments next year,” Mayer optimistically added.
Davis Cup player, Philipp Kohlschreiber played his way into the round of last sixteen at the International German Open in Hamburg by beating Potito Starace (Italy) in three sets. The player from Augsburg converted his fifth match point after 1 hour 57 minutes before the eyes of the cheering crowd and won the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. However, “Kohli” had to work hard for his success. The quali-player, Starace, hardly made any mistakes and made life difficult for the German as he used his first set point to win the second set. But in the end the German was able to decide the third set in his favour.
“The last game was especially unpleasant but, luckily, it worked out. I have to work on not being forced too far back. Then, I become too defensive. My strength, however, is to be right behind the baseline and work my way into the court,” Kohlschreiber explained his strategy which is to get him further in the tournament in Hamburg. “Kohli’s" next-round opponent is Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay who surprisingly beat the number nine seed player, Jurgen Melzer, 7:6, 6:3.
Beside the Austrian number one player, another seeded player, i.e. Tommy Robredo, had to leave the tournament. The number four-seed 2006 Rothenbaum winner was defeated by his Spanish fellow countryman, Ivan Navarro, in a tough match 5-7, 6-7. Number five seed Stanislas Wawrinka also had to pack his bags after his first match. He lost to Kitzbuehel-winner, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 2-6, 4-6.
Daniel Brands – First German to Make it to the Next Round;
Phau Unsuccessful
Monday 20. 07. 2009
Hamburg – Daniel Brands from Deggendorf is the first German to win his first round match at the International German Open at Hamburg Rothenbaum. The player from Lower Bavaria succeeded to come back after he was one set down and beat Victor Crivoi 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Next round, Brands who was given a wildcard will meet the top seeded French player, Gilles Simon. A duel Brands is really looking forward to. "It will be my first match against a top ten player. I will enjoy it and hope that the crowd will really support me," Brands said, thus thanking Hamburg’s spectators. “I had some difficulties in the first set but then I got into the match," said Brands who dominated especially the third set with his strong serve and crashing forehand. Before, Bjorn Phau from Weilerswist was the first German to lose in Hamburg. The 29-year old player was defeated by the clay court specialist Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay 6-7 (0), 4-6. The South American player used his huge talent in crucial situations, rolled over the German in the tiebreak of the first set and converted his first match point. Today four other German players, Philipp Petzschner, Simon Greul, Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Beck, will try and make it to the next round.
Meanwhile, on the Centre Court the Germans had embarked on a path of success which was also continued by Simon Greul. Similar to Daniel Brands, Greul fought his way back into the match and finally beat the Serbian player, Janko Tipsarevic, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, thus confirming his soaring form. “At the moment, I really feel great on the court and intend to continue my good performance here in Hamburg. Luckily, I quickly put behind the first set and started to play more aggressively,” Greul happily commented his performance which improved in the course of the match. Now, the player from Kornwestheim will play Davis Cup player Mischa Zverev. “It is going to be a great match, especially for the spectators,” said Greul, eagerly looking forward to the match.
Andreas Beck completes the German tennis quartet, making it to the second round of the International German Open on Monday. The player from Ravensburg had to play previous night’s late shift and succeeded in overpowering the extremely strong Spanish player, Oscar Hernandez, after 2 hours 51 minutes 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 and thus boosted his confidence. The first set was quite even not providing Beck a chance to counter his opponent. Despite the early break in the second set, he got back into the match and converted his fourth match point at 23:19 o'clock. Finally, he was able to lift his fist towards Hamburg's night sky.
