BRAUNSCHWEIG/STARNBERG, July 10, 2024
Already at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday – under bright sunshine and temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius – the first major match day of the 2024 BRAWO OPEN commenced at the venue of the BTHC at the Bürgerpark Braunschweig. The ATP Challenger Tour 125 tournament featured a packed schedule with 16 first-round matches, seven of which included German participants.
The first match of the day saw World No. 311 Nicola Kuhn taking on the third-seeded Thiago Seyboth Wild on the BRAWO Center Court. In a surprising turn of events, the Brazilian player retired due to injury while trailing 2-6, 0-1. Kuhn, who has also struggled with numerous injuries in the past, expressed his emotions after the match: “So many emotions are coming up. I’m happy to be back at my favorite tournament after a year away,” said the 2017 Braunschweig champion.
Rehberg upsets Altmaier
One of the highlight matches of the day was the all-German clash between the fourth-seeded Daniel Altmaier and Max Rehberg on the BRAWO Center Court. Altmaier, who had just arrived from London after his loss at Wimbledon, entered the main draw in Braunschweig with a wild card. Under the scorching sun, the pair battled for two hours and 30 minutes in an even match. Ultimately, the 20-year-old Rehberg triumphed over Altmaier 2-6, 7-6, 6-3, winning his third match in Braunschweig after two successful qualifying rounds.
Rising through the heat of battle ❤️🔥
Qualifier Max Rehberg bounces back in Braunschweig to defeat No.4 seed Altmaier 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/NyiARrLsrH
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 9, 2024
Tournament exit for Masur, Molleker, Moeller
In another closely fought and high-caliber German duel, World No. 178 Henri Squire faced off against 296th-ranked Daniel Masur. Squire edged out Masur 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 in a grueling two hour and 52-minute encounter.
World No. 202 Rudolf Molleker faced the toughest draw among the German players, going up against the top-seeded Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena. The World No. 64 emerged victorious, winning 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.
In addition to Masur and Molleker, another German, Marvin Moeller, also had to bow out in the singles competition. He lost to the Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-3, 6-4. The last match featuring a home favourite was played by Sebastian Fanselow in the evening against Juan Pablo Varillas with the Peruvian winning 7-6, 6-3.
