HEILBRONN, May 16, 2018

German teenager Rudolf Molleker continues his good run of form by reaching the quarterfinals of the €85,000 NECKARCUP. The 17-year-old, who won his first main draw match at ATP Challenger-level yesterday, knocked out compatriot and No. 4 seed Yannick Hanfmann on a rain-interrupted Wednesday in Heilbronn.

Molleker withstood seven aces, hitting four of his own and broke his opponent three times to secure victory in one hour and 52 minutes.

The wild card entry will next challenge Alexey Vatutin, who rallied past Spanish youngster and qualifier Bernabé Zapata Miralles 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 earlier in the day. The No. 7 seed from Russia won 56 per cent of his first service points to prevail in one hour and 43 minutes.

Mats Moraing of Germany withdrew on-site from singles and doubles due to illness. Dustin Brown and the team of Rameez Junaid from Australia and Dutchman David Pel advanced to the next round by walkover. Brown will either face Kamil Majchrzak of Poland or third seed and fellow German Yannick Maden.

RESULTS – MAY 16, 2018
Singles – Second Round
[WC] R. Molleker (GER) d [4] Y. Hanfmann (GER) 46 63 63
[7] A. Vatutin (RUS) d [Q] B. Zapata Miralles (ESP) 46 64 62
D. Brown (GER) d M. Moraing (GER) walkover

Doubles – First Round
K. Krawietz (GER) / A. Mies (GER) d [3] A. Begemann (GER) / J. Erlich (ISR) 36 63 12-10
R. Junaid (AUS) / D. Pel (NED) d [WC] J. Londero (ARG) / M. Moraing (GER) walkover
P. Petzschner (GER) / T. Puetz (GER) d D. Novikov (USA) / A. Vatutin (RUS) walkover