MUNICH, May 3, 2017
The bottom half of the draw at the BMW Open by FWU was in second round action on Wednesday and it was Jan-Lennard Struff, who ended Tommy Haas‘ professional tennis career at the MTTC Iphitos.
The seventh seed emerged victorious from the all-German-affair, winning 6-4, 7-5. Struff sent down seven aces and broke serve four times to advance in one hour and 28 minutes.
It was Haas’ last match at the Bavarian ATP 250 event, the tournament he won in 2013. After the encounter, the German veteran received a Lederhose as special farewell gift from tournament director Patrik Kühnen.
“That was the moment when I realized it is over here. I have great memories of the tournament, as I spent a lot of time here on the court as well as with my family,” Haas told afterwards. “But all credits to Struffi. I had my chances in the second set but he was the better player today.”
After staying a couple more days here in Munich, Haas will continue his clay court journey in Madrid. “I will leave on Friday to get used to the conditions over there.”
The 39-year-old added that he had entered the qualification for Roland Garros.
“If I actually play the qualification in Paris is uncertain, as I will ask for a wild card into the main draw,” Haas explained.
Struff will next take on Alexander Zverev. Germany’s best ranked tennis player defeated Jeremy Chardy of France 6-4, 6-4 in the final match of the day.
The third seed won 80 per cent of his first service points and broke serve three times to prevail in one hour and 15 minutes.
“It’s always nice to play here in Germany and I am very pleased to arrive in Munich in good shape. I hope that I can still win a few more matches this week,” Zverev told aftewards.
Hanfmann Sets Quarterfinal Clash With Bautista-Agut
Earlier the day, Yannick Hanfmann, who battled through the qualifying and was victorious in his ATP World Tour main draw debut on Monday, continued his fantastic run this week by reaching the stage of the final eight. The 25-year-old German saved one match point in the ninth game of the final set to eventually overcome Bellucci, winning 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 in two hours and 19 minutes.
Read: Hanfmann Continues Dream Run In Munich
Roberto Bautista-Agut
Hanfmann will next take on Roberto Bautista-Agut. The second seed from Spain faced with Marius Copil a tough opponent for his opening match in Munich.
Bautista-Agut, who advanced to the semi-finals in Munich 2015, withstood 15 aces from the strong serving Romanian, who was loudly supported by his corner. In the end, the World No. 18 won eight points more than his opponent, sealing a 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 victory after two hours and 28 minutes.
“The opening match in Munich is always tough, as you have to get used to the conditions here with the altitude,” Bautista-Agut was relieved afterwards. “Marius served really strong and played very well. I am happy to get through.”
On Thursday the top half of the draw will step into action headlined by the comeback from Gael Monfils. The top seed from France will face ATP NextGen Hyeon Chung of Korea.
