KAARST, January 18, 2017

Seven Germans advanced to the second round of the $15,000 Kirschbaum International powered by Energy Concepts in Kaarst on Wednesday. Second seed and defending champion Mats Moraing, who started the season participating in two ATP Challengers in Oceania, opened his title bid on home soil with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over qualifier Jannis Kahlke.

Kirschbaum International defending champion: Mats Moraing

The 24-year-old leftie sent down nine aces, winning 81 per cent of his first service points to close the encounter in just one hour of play. Next up for Moraing will be Rudolf Molleker, considered as one of Germany’s biggest tennis talents. The only 16-year-old emerged victorious from the all-German-affair with Johannes Haerteis, rallying 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and two minutes. Moraing and Molleker will square off for the first time.

Oscar Otte also celebrated a successful start into the ITF Future event. The fifth seed defeated Japanese qualifier Hiroyasu Ehara 7-5, 6-1. “If he continues competing like this, he will be able to beat anyone in the draw,” tournament director Marc Raffel was impressed by the performance of Germany’s National Champion from 2015. Wild card Alexander Mannapov ousted Johann Willems, who battled through the qualifying, 6-4, 6-4.

The tournament’s number one Vladimir Ivanov was also in action, winning 6-4, 6-4 over Frenchman Hugo Voljacques in one hour and 22 minutes. The World No. 449 from Estonia will next take on Julian Onken.

Fourth favourite Yaraslau Shyla, who finished runner-up in Schwieberdingen last week, edged past German qualifer Robin Lang 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 38 minutes to play Martins Podzus from Latvia in the second round.