ISMANING, November 1, 2023
Oscar Otte has won his first match since early July at Wimbledon by beating Marko Topo 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-6(3) in Wednesday’s opening round of the Wolffkran Open. The 30-year-old German, who was sidelined from the courts for more than three months due to a knee injury and made his return to the tour at the European Open in Antwerp, Belgium two weeks ago, fired 20 aces and broke his compatriot’s serve two times to secure victory in two hours and 20 minutes.
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“I am very happy that I was able to turn this match around. I was mentally solid and tried to stay calm,” said 2021 Wolffkran Open champion Otte afterwards “I have good memories of Ismaning. I play well on carpet, on faster surfaces in general. However, matches are dominated by the serves here and it is very tough to return. I arrived Sunday and felt well during the first practice sessions. I didn’t win that many matches this year, so it is important to get back to rhythm.”
Otte, who dropped in the ATP Rankings to 226th position, will next take on Swiss qualifier Antoine Bellier. That the former World No. 36 needs to compete in ATP Challenger events again is not a big deal for the Cologne native. “I am just happy to be back. If I still need points to qualify for the Australian Open, I will even play ITF M25 events in Monastir at the end of the season. I don’t have a problem with that at all, as I just love to play tennis.”
Huesler, Paulson advance to quarterfinals
In second-round action, Marc-Andrea Huesler of Switzerland fought past Henri Squire of Germany 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(5). The 2020 Wolffkran Open champion won one point more than his opponent to succeed in one hour and 55 minutes. Huesler will face the winner of the Otte-Bellier encounter in the quarterfinals.
Czech qualifier Andrew Paulson also booked his spot in the stage of the final eight at the ATP Challenger Tour 75 indoor carpet event. The 21-year-old beat German Timo Stodder 7-6(9), 6-3. Paulson saved all three break points he faced and capitalized on one of his own five break-point opportunities to advance in one hour and 39 minutes. Up next for Paulson will be either qualifier Kacper Zuk from Poland or No. 2 seed Maximilian Marterer of Germany.
