NÜRNBERG, May 23, 2017

Three German players advanced to the second round at the WTA Nürnberger Versicherungscup on Tuesday. Fourth seed Laura Siegemund eased past compatriot Katharina Hobgarski, winning 6-0, 6-1.

The Stuttgart Tennis Grand Prix champion saved both break points she faced, converting six of her own to secure victory in 62 minutes. Next up for Siegemund will be Czech qualifier Barbora Krejcikova.

“It won’t be easy, as she had already played a couple of matches here. She has nothing to lose. This a dangerous combination,” Siegemund told but will be the clear favourite in the second round encounter.

Carina Witthöft (photo: Getty Images/Nürnberger Vericherungscup)

Carina Witthöft cruised past Johanna Larsson from Sweden, winning 6-1, 6-0. The 22-year-old from Hamburg won 79 per cent of her first service points to finish the match in only 48 minutes.

“I do not know, if I am currently playing the best tennis of my life,” Witthöft stated afterwards. The youngster will next take on fellow Julia Görges. The pair will meet for the first time on the tour.

Annika Beck joins the German combo in the second round, beating Lena Rueffer 6-3, 6-3. The World No. 70 capitalized on five of her nine break point chances to prevail in one hour and 15 minutes. Beck will next play top seed Kiki Bertens. The 25-year-old from the Netherlands opened her Nürnberg title bid with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over German wild card Katharina Gerlach. The encounter lasted one hour and 21 minutes.

“I know her very well,” Beck told. “She has come to Nürnberg with a lot of confidence. There is no pressure for me, as she will be the favourite.” Bertens leads 5-1 in the pair’s head-to-head records.

Second seed Yulia Putintseva also prevailed. The World No. 28 from Kazakhstan fought past lucky loser Julia Glushko from Israel, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-0. Putintseva sealed the deal after two hours and three minutes to face Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium next.

Photo Gallery Player’s Night: (by Tobias Huber)