MEERBUSCH, August 16, 2018

German teenager Rudolf Molleker and World No. 124 Pedro Sousa will join Filip Horansky as the only seeded players in the quarterfinals of the Tennis Open Stadtwerke Meerbusch.

On Thursday afternoon, Molleker defeated Johan Tatlot of France 7-5, 6-1. The 17-year-old from Oranienburg capitalized on six of his eight break point chances to advance in one hour and 21 minutes.

“I think that we both didn’t play our best tennis today,” Molleker said. “Conditions were not easy but tomorrow will be another day and let’s see what’s going to happen.”

Molleker will next challenge Pedro Sousa, who cruised past Dutch qualifier Jelle Sels 6-3, 6-1.

The 30-year-old Portuguese, who clinched his second ATP Challenger title of the season in Pullach last Sunday, dominated the encounter, winning 62 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in just under one hour of play.

All-German encounter to come up

Dustin Brown

Dustin Brown advanced to the stage of the final eight with a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 win only 43 minutes against French lucky loser Alexander Muller.

“I gained a lot of confidence from the team competition at the German Bundesliga,” Brown said.

“After suffering from a back injury I am happy to play matches again.”

Next up for Brown will be fellow German Kevin Krawietz, who outlasted wild card entry Benjamin Hassan 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 in two hours and 29 minutes.