HAGEN/STARNBERG, August 6, 2026
With the round of 16 completed, the quarterfinal lineup at the 2026 Platzmann Open is set. Thursday’s feature match on Center Court saw Spain’s Carlos Taberner battle back from a set down to defeat German lucky loser Marko Topo 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
In front of a well-filled crowd, the pair produced a high-quality contest from the opening point. Both players looked to dictate play with aggressive baseline tennis, repeatedly stepping inside the court and unleashing powerful forehands. Topo made the stronger start, taking the initiative with fearless shot-making and an attacking mindset. His aggressive forehand and impressive pace earned him the opening set.
Taberner responded by raising his level in the second. Although Topo remained competitive and stayed solid under pressure, the Spaniard proved more clinical in the key moments. Long, physical rallies highlighted the intensity of the encounter before Taberner capitalized on his opportunities to level the match.
As temperatures dropped and the light began to fade on Center Court, both players maintained the high standard in the deciding set. Gradually, however, Taberner took control by varying the pace and preventing Topo from dictating rallies as effectively as he had earlier. The German fought until the final point but was unable to mount a comeback.
The victory marks another important step in Taberner’s return to competition. The 28-year-old from Valencia started the season inside the Top 100 but was sidelined for around six months after the Australian Open due to back and thigh injuries. Having made his comeback last week at the ATP Challenger event in San Marino, he has now reached his first quarterfinal since returning to the tour. Next up is Denmark’s Elmer Moller, who recovered from a 2-5 deficit in the opening set to defeat Italy’s Raul Brancaccio 7-6(4), 7-6(2).
Friday’s schedule also features an all-German quarterfinal as Henri Squire and Tom Gentzsch face each other on Center Court, with play scheduled to begin no earlier than 5 p.m. local time.
The first quarterfinals get underway at 2 p.m. Third seed Zsombor Piros of Hungary takes on Dutchman Guy den Ouden on Center Court, while Lorenzo Giustino meets Jerome Kym on the Sparkassen Premium Court. Giustino advanced after edging 14-years-younger qualifier Matej Dodig 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), while Kym defeated Dutchman Max Houkes 6-3, 7-6(4).
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