HEILBRONN, May 11, 2021
Philipp Kohlschreiber opened his home campaign in Heilbronn with a straight-sets victory to reach the second round of the ATP Challenger 100 tournament. In his debut match at the NECKARCUP, the 37-year-old German defeated French qualifier Maxime Janvier 6-4, 6-3.
Kohlschreiber, who is competing in his third tournament of the season, capitalized on four of his five break-point chances to seal victory in one hour and 30 minutes.
That’s the way, how Philipp Kohlschreiber 🇩🇪 booked his spot in the second round 👊
The No. 7 seed will next take on #NextGenATP 🇺🇸 Brandon Nakashima. #ATPChallengerTour #Heilbronn #NECKARCUP pic.twitter.com/BjfN4WYJvL
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) May 11, 2021
“I played a pretty solid match,” Kohlschreiber said. “It was not easy, as he served well and has a powerful game but I moved well and kept fighting until the end. I am pretty happy. Of course, there are still some things to improve, but we need to keep in mind that I didn’t play tournaments for six months and there was also the suspension of the tour due to the pandemic. So the main goal is to play as many matches as possible and keep improving every day.”
The No. 7 seed will next take on US-American teenager Brandon Nakashima. The pair will meet for the first time.
Later on Center Court at the TC Heilbronn Trappensee E.V. 1892, Antoine Hoang knocked out 2018 NECKARCUP champion Rudolf Molleker of Germany. 6-0, 3-6, 6-3. The 25-year-old Frenchman won 79 per cent of his first-service points and 55 per cent of the total points played to prevail after one hour and 37 minutes.
Tough fight 💪
Antoine Hoang 🇫🇷 knocks out our 2018 #NECKARCUP champion Rudolf Molleker 🇩🇪 6-0 3-6 6-3 to reach the 2nd round in Heilbronn. #ATPChallenger #Heilbronn pic.twitter.com/7lKVu2eLxI
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) May 11, 2021
“I had a good start but the match became very tight. I knew that he can play very well. He is a young and talented player but I just tried to focus on my own game,” said Hoang, who will next oppose Sumit Nagal of India.
Hanfmann eases into second round
No. 2 seed Yannick Hanfmann opened his title bid with a comfortable 6-0, 6-4 victory over Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands, who captured his third ATP Challenger career title at the Prague Open last Sunday.
“It feels good to start with such a result, as I didn’t win that many matches here in the past,” Hanfmann said after the encounter, which lasted 74 minutes. “Today I played a solid match against a strong opponent.”
The World No. 95 remains the best ranked-player left in the singles draw and will next take on Brazilian lucky loser Joao Menezes, who fought past Turkish qualifier Ergi Kirkin 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-5 after three hours and 11 minutes.
“We played on hard court and I could win the match but he is a tough opponent but I will try to play my game and to dictate the rallies,” Hanfmann said of his upcoming task.
World No. 95 @YannickHanfmann 🇩🇪 opened his #NECKARCUP title bid with a 6-0 6-4 victory over recent Prague Open champion Tallon Griekspoor 🇳🇱 and remains the highest-ranked player left in the singles draw.
🗣 Post-match interview 🇩🇪#ATPChallenger #Heilbronn pic.twitter.com/zY2FsXezBH
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) May 11, 2021
McDonald advances by retirement
In other action, No. 8 seeded US-American Mackenzie McDonald benefited from the retirement of Australian Aleksandar Vukic, leading 6-4, 4-3 on Court 2. “He said that he had a little strain in his leg,” McDonald explained. “It’s a tough way to finish the match, as I was ready to keep battling in the second set but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
The 26-year-old Florida native has come to Germany for the first time. “I played in Munich two weeks ago and now it’s my first time here in Heilbronn. It’s very beautiful. I have heard a lot of this tournament and wanted to come here and experience it. The cars are unbelievable, the people are very nice. Just the Covid is still the problem but hopefully soon it will be over.”
First time in 🇩🇪
Mackenzie McDonald 🇺🇸 & the #NECKARCUP 🎾
“I’ve heard a lot about this tournament and wanted to come here and experience it!” #ATPChallengerTour #Heilbronn pic.twitter.com/fJAuZfmATT
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) May 11, 2021
Rainy afternoon
The final matches of the day had to be cancelled due to bad weather. Play resumes Wednesday, 10:30 am local time.
Rain, rain go away!
Quick weather update from Heilbronn. ☔☔#ATPChallenger #NECKARCUP pic.twitter.com/yaSXjY3Woz
— NECKARCUP Heilbronn (@NeckarH) May 11, 2021
NECKARCUP RESULTS – MAY 11, 2021
Singles – First Round
[2] [WC] Y. Hanfmann (GER) d T. Griekspoor (NED) 60 64
[4] D. Galan (COL) d M. Polmans (AUS) 61 61
[7] P. Kohlschreiber (GER) d [Q] M. Janvier (FRA) 64 63
[8] M. McDonald (USA) d [Q] A. Vukic (AUS) 63 43 Retired
A. Hoang (FRA) d [WC] R. Molleker (GER) 60 36 63
[Q] M. Moraing (GER) d H. Laaksonen (SUI) 76(2) 62
[LL] T. Etcheverry (ARG) d [PR] A. Kuznetsov (RUS) 63 62
[LL] J. Menezes (BRA) d [Q] E. Kirkin (TUR) 76(6) 26 75
Doubles – First Round
[3] N. Lammons (USA) / J. Withrow (USA) d . Galan (COL) / T. Griekspoor (NED) walkover
ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021
CENTER COURT start 10:30
O. Otte (GER) vs B. Zapata Miralles (ESP)
Not Before 11:30
[7] P. Kohlschreiber (GER) vs B. Nakashima (USA)
[LL] J. Menezes (BRA) vs [2] [WC] Y. Hanfmann (GER)
M. Polmans (AUS) / A. Sitak (NZL) vs [WC] A. Begemann (GER) / D. Brown (GER)
[WC] T. Altuna (TUR) / A. Celikbilek (TUR) vs D. Kudla (USA) / M. McDonald (USA) 46 00
COURT 1 start 10:30
First Round – [3] D. Novak (AUT) vs [WC] Y. Maden (GER) 62 01
Not Before 11:00
Second Round – [LL] T. Etcheverry (ARG) vs [5] T. Daniel (JPN)
First Round – D. Masur (GER) / D. Molchanov (UKR) vs A. Goransson (SWE) / S. Verbeek (NED)
Not Before 14:00
Second Round – After suitable rest – [3] D. Novak (AUT) or [WC] Y. Maden (GER) vs [Q] M. Moraing (GER)
First Round – L. Glasspool (GBR) / M. Reid (AUS) vs L. Martinez (VEN) / D. Vega Hernandez (ESP)
COURT 2 start 10:30
A. Hoang (FRA) vs S. Nagal (IND)
Not Before 11:30
[8] M. McDonald (USA) vs [Alt] K. Coppejans (BEL)
[Alt] A. Giannessi (ITA) vs [4] D. Galan (COL)
[4] R. Matos (BRA) / F. Meligeni Rodrigues Alves (BRA) vs I. Sabanov (CRO) / M. Sabanov (CRO) 63 20
T. Daniel (JPN) / B. Zapata Miralles (ESP) vs [2] S. Arends (NED) / D. Sharan (IND)
