OBERHACHING/STARNBERG, February 10, 2025
After finishing as runner-up last year against Nuremberg’s Justin Engel, Sauerland’s Max Schönhaus returned to the TennisBase Oberhaching for another shot at the Dunlop Bavarian Junior Winter Championships—this time, securing the title.
Following last year’s final in Oberhaching, Engel and Schönhaus took different paths in their careers. Engel, now 17, shifted his focus to the professional circuit and has impressively climbed into the Top 350 of the ATP Rankings, making him the youngest player in that ranking bracket. Meanwhile, Schönhaus took a different approach, spending a year training in the USA while continuing to compete on the junior circuit—a strategy that paid off with a Wimbledon doubles title.
Dominant performance by the top seed
Entering the tournament as the No. 1 seed, Schönhaus was the clear favorite. However, after two straightforward early-round wins, he faced tougher challenges. In the round of 16, he narrowly edged past Hungarian Botond Nagy in a third-set tiebreak. He continued to battle through tight matches, often sealing the first set in a tiebreak before finding his rhythm.
The final was no different. Facing unseeded Frenchman Pierre Faut, the World No. 20 in the junior rankings, Schönhaus controlled the first set but struggled to convert multiple set points. Eventually, he clinched the tiebreak and rode the momentum to a 7-6(4), 6-2 victory, securing the championship in 94 minutes.
Doubles victory with McDonald
Schönhaus also tasted success in doubles, partnering with Niels McDonald from Schwerin. McDonald had his own redemption story, having lost last year’s doubles final. This time, the top-seeded duo took down the French pair of Pierre Faut and Daniel Jade in a thrilling match, winning 7-5, 6-7(5), 10-3.
Vincent Reisach impresses on home soil
Among the standout performances of the tournament was Vincent Reisach. The 15-year-old from Plattling impressed with his ability to keep up with the top players. In both the round of 16 and quarter-finals, he staged comebacks after losing the first set, taking down Czech Matyas Kozlovsky and his No. 2-seeded compatriot Niels McDonald. He fought hard in the semi-final, but ultimately fell to Pierre Faut in three sets.
Pastikova claims junior girls’ title
The German junior girls also made a strong impact in Oberhaching. Michelle Khomich, 16, made headlines early on by upsetting the No. 2 seed Nadia Kulbiej from Poland in a grueling three-hour battle. However, it was Victoria Pohle from Stuttgart who stole the spotlight. She advanced to the final without dropping a set, including a dominant semi-final victory over 14-year-old Ida Wobker from the Porsche Junior Team.
In the championship match, top seed Julie Pastikova from the Czech Republic proved too strong. Despite an improved second set from Pohle, Pastikova claimed the title with a 6-2, 7-5 victory.
Junior girls’ doubles champions
In the girls’ doubles final, the German-Swiss duo of Emily Victoria Eigelsbach and Sarina Schnyder triumphed over Tamina Kochta and Ida Wobker, winning 6-3, 6-3.
Final Results
Boys’ Singles Final:
Max Schönhaus (GER) def. Pierre Antoine Faut (FRA) 7-6(4), 6-2
Girls’ Singles Final:
Julie Pastikova (CZE) def. Victoria Pohle (GER) 6-2, 7-5
Boys’ Doubles Final:
Niels McDonald (GER) / Max Schönhaus (GER) def. Pierre Faut (FRA) / Daniel Jade (FRA) 7-5, 6-7(5), 10-3
Girls’ Doubles Final:
Emily Eigelsbach (GER) / Sarina Schnyder (SUI) def. Tamina Kochta (GER) / Ida Wobker (GER) 6-3, 6-3
