AUGSBURG, August 24, 2026
The Schwaben Open by Great2Stay delivered an action-packed Monday, with the final qualifying matches and the opening round of the ATP Challenger 50 tournament taking place on the courts of the Tennis Club Augsburg. While defending doubles champion Benito Sanchez-Martinez and United Cup champion Kai Wehnelt successfully booked their places in the main draw, German youngster Max Schoenhaus produced the first home victory of the tournament by defeating former Wimbledon junior champion Mili Poljicak.
The 19-year-old Schoenhaus, ranked world No. 318, faced one of the most highly regarded junior players of his generation in the tournament’s “Match of the Day” on Centre Court. While Schoenhaus won last year’s ITF Junior World Tour Finals, Croatia’s Mili Poljicak, now ranked No. 263, claimed the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in 2022.
The match immediately lived up to its billing, with both players showcasing an impressive variety of shots. Schoenhaus missed three break opportunities in the opening game but made the breakthrough two games later with a spectacular passing shot off his one-handed backhand.
The German was rarely troubled on serve in the opening set. When Poljicak created two break points, Schoenhaus remained composed, saving both before serving out the set.
The second set was closely contested from the start, with both players having to fight through demanding service games. Schönhaus eventually made the decisive breakthrough in the seventh game, producing a powerful cross-court forehand from a defensive position to earn the break.
After holding serve to love, the fourth-seeded Poljicak was once again put under pressure. Schoenhaus remained aggressive and closed out the match with a delicate shot played at his opponent’s feet, sealing a 6-4, 6-3 victory after 94 minutes.
In the round of 16, Schoenhaus will face either local wild card entry Daniel Masur or Petr Brunclik of the Czech Repbulic.
Speaking on court after his victory, the former world No. 2 junior said: “I knew before the match that Mili is a really strong player who had great success as a junior and has also achieved some very good results on the professional tour. The key for me was to stay in every service game of his, regardless of the score. I’m really happy that I was able to reward myself for that in the end.”
Topo Falls at First Hurdle
There was disappointment for Munich’s Marko Topo, who exited the singles draw against Spain’s Miguel Damas. The 26-year-old Damas, ranked No. 302, prevailed 6-3, 6-4 over the 22-year-old German, who is ranked No. 338.
The opening set developed into a break-fest, with five consecutive service games being lost. Damas eventually stopped the run at 3-5, saved a break point and converted his first set point.
Both players became more secure on serve in the second set, but Topo suffered a decisive break in the ninth game. Damas then served out the match to love.
Defending Doubles Champion Sanchez-Martinez Returns to Main Draw
Benito Sanchez-Martinez continued his impressive run in Augsburg by successfully qualifying for the main draw. The Berlin-based left-hander, ranked No. 1002, defeated Czech Dominik Recek 6-4, 6-3 in 79 minutes.
Recek, ranked No. 822, had caused an upset in the opening qualifying round by defeating top seed Georgii Kravchenko of Ukraine.
After a balanced start, Sanchez-Martinez created his first break opportunities in the fifth game and converted the third. Although he had to work hard to protect his serve later in the set, he saved all three break points he faced before closing out the opener.
The Czech then moved ahead 3-1 in the second set, but Sanchez-Martinez responded emphatically, winning five games in a row to complete his comeback.
The 24-year-old, who reached the quarterfinals in Augsburg from qualifying last year, will face Bolivia’s Murkel Dellien, ranked No. 335, in the main draw.
“It wasn’t easy today because the conditions were a little windier, so I played a bit more cautiously,” Sanchez-Martinez said. “Still, I managed to make the best of it and get through in two sets, even though I didn’t play as well today as I did yesterday.”
United Cup Champion Wehnelt Makes the Most of Home Advantage
Kai Wehnelt also booked his place in the main draw with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Robert Strombachs in a match between two players who grew up in Berlin.
The 30-year-old Wehnelt, ranked No. 625, adapted better to the changing light conditions from the outset and dominated the opening set. Strombachs, who represents Latvia and is ranked No. 449, raised his level considerably in the second set and kept the match on serve.
The decisive moment came in the ninth game. Strombachs opened the door with several unforced errors before surrendering his serve with a backhand drive volley into the net. Wehnelt took full advantage, serving out the match at the first opportunity after 62 minutes.
The qualifier will face Dominican Republic’s Nick Hardt in the main draw.
“It’s always difficult to play against a good friend,” Wehnelt said. “We get along really well and regularly go out for dinner together at tournaments, so we know each other inside out. It’s almost like playing chess.
“I had an advantage in the first set because I already knew the conditions better from yesterday’s match, and that helped me win it comfortably. The second set was very even for a long time, until he gave me an opportunity on the way to the break. Luckily, I was able to serve out the match.”
Hassan Overcomes Slow Start
Benjamin Hassan needed a little time to find his rhythm against Czech Matthew William Donald but eventually advanced with a 4-6, 6-2 victory.
The 31-year-old German native, who represents Lebanon in the Davis Cup, fell behind 1-3 before gradually finding his range with his varied game. Towards the end of the opening set, Donald handed Hassan two set points with double faults, and the German-born Lebanese player took his second opportunity with an aggressive return.
Hassan then took control of the second set, breaking his 21-year-old opponent twice before completing a 6-4, 6-2 victory after 69 minutes.
Gavrielides Denied Revenge by Brunold
Ludwigsburg’s Liam Gavrielides was unable to avenge his previous singles defeat to Swiss player Mika Brunold.
The two players have teamed up in doubles several times, but Brunold, ranked No. 423, once again came out on top in their latest singles encounter. The 21-year-old Swiss made the stronger start, using his heavy forehand to move Gavrielides around the court and take the opening set.
Gavrielides, ranked No. 1143, significantly reduced his error count in the second set and began finding success with his powerful groundstrokes. After trailing 1-3, the 22-year-old German levelled the match and forced a tiebreak.
Brunold, however, maintained his momentum when it mattered most, winning five consecutive points to close out a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory after 94 minutes.
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