KAARST, January 30, 2018

Marvin Möller headlined Tuesday’s first round action of the $15,000 Kirschbaum International by NEUSSERREHA held at Tespo Sportpark in Kaarst. The 19-year-old German, who captured his maiden ITF Pro Circuit title in Bad Salzdetfurth in October last year, defeated Yan Sabanin from Russia 6-2, 6-3.

Möller was in control of the encounter, didn’t face a break point, converting three of his own to advance in just under one hour of play. The teenager will next take on Yannik Reuter. The No. 6 seed from Belgium battled past Colin van Beem of the Netherlands 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 in one hour and 57 minutes.

Boy Westerhof, the tournament’s No. 4, beat fellow Dutchman and qualifier Mick Veldheer 6-3, 6-4 to face Remi Boutillier of France in the second round. The 28-year-old benefited from the retirement of qualifier Tom Schönenberg of Germany due to injury leading 4-1.

Defending Champion Falls

Robin Kern – photo: Stephan Frings

Defending champion Elmar Ejupovic lost to fifth seed Robin Kern 6-2, 7-6 in an all-German-affair. The World No. 431 from Nuremberg fired 11 aces, winning 73 per cent of his first service points to secure victory in one hour and 38 minutes.

“The result is not a surprise. The indoor conditions suit Robin Kern’s game. He is one of the favourites here,” tournament director Marc Raffel commented.

Next up for Kern will be Valentin Günther, who won the battle of the wild card entries with Karlo Cubelic, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.