MUNICH, April 15, 2025
On a sun-soaked Tuesday at the BMW Open by Bitpanda in Munich, rising German talent Diego Dedura-Palomero captured the spotlight as the youngest player in the draw of the ATP 500 tournament. Facing former World No. 10 Denis Shapovalov, the 16-year-old impressed everyone with a composed and fearless performance before the Canadian was forced to retire in the second set. It sealed a memorable debut win for the local hopeful.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd on the new Center Court at the MTTC Iphitos, the 2008-born made history by becoming the first player from his birth year to secure a match win on the ATP Tour. Dedura-Palomera, who entered the main draw of the ATP 500 clay-court event as the fourth lucky loser, was leading 7-6(2), 3-0 when Shapovalov stopped playing due to injury.
First players born in each year to win an ATP match (since 1995):
’95: Kyrgios
’96: Garin
’97: Zverev
’98: Tiafoe
’99: Shapovalov
’00: Auger-Aliassime
’01: Sinner
’02: Musetti
’03: Alcaraz
’04: Sakellardis
’05: Shang
’06: Fonseca
’07: Engel
’08: Dedura- Palomero pic.twitter.com/Jq7j6vDbBL— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 15, 2025
“I just can’t describe it in words right now. I am so happy. All the years struggling, then I got the wild card for qualifying, won against Top 100 Mackenzie McDonald and lost against Alexander Bublik,” Dedura-Palomero reflected afterwards. “I had some bad luck, as there were three lucky loser spots for four players, and I was the fourth and didn’t get in. I was waiting the whole day on Monday and, then, Gael Monfils pulled out. I told myself ‘just to go in, have fun, go with the crowd and play your best tennis.’ It’s crazy.”
Dedura-Palomero’s post-match celebration was also special, as the teenager drew a giant cross on the court and laid down on the clay surface.
“I’m quite religious, and I believe God helped me a little on my way to victory today. I prayed for five minutes before the match, and then I took all that strength with me onto the court. After the match, it was just pure gratitude,” he explained.
With this win, the lefty from Berlin who is the son of a Chilean father and Lithuanian mother, has cracked the Top 400 and already has doubled his career prize money to more than $40,000.
Dedora Palomero next faces Zizou Bergs of Belgium, who eliminated Kazkh qualifier Alexander Bublik, 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5 in two hours and 22 minutes.
Cerundolo untroubled in opening win
Francisco Cerundolo comfortably made it into the second round at the expense of defending champion Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany. The No. 5 seed from Argentina cruised to a 6-0, 6-2 victory in only 54 minutes. Cerundolo won 94 per cent of his first-service points, saved the only break point he faced and capitalized on five of his own six break-point opportunities.
“I knew it’s going to be a tough match, playing against the defending champion, who loves the conditions with the altitude here. I played well and he probably didn’t have his best day, but I am happy with my performance,” said Cerundolo, who is now 8-0 against German opponents since start of the 2024 season.
The 26-year-old Argentine is back in Munich for the first time since 2022, when he lost in the opening round of the qualifying and seems to feel comfortable with the new set-up of the venue.
“It’s great here. It’s fast but not too much and the balls bounce a lot,” Cerundolo stated. “The weather is fantastic. I thought it would be super cold here or maybe even snowing but so far, we have enjoyed bright sky and sunshine. I love it. I am happy to have chosen to play in Munich this week. Hopefully, I can go further.”
Up next for Cerundulo will be Kazakh lucky loser Alexander Shevchenko, who edged out recent Bucharest champion Flavio Cobolli of Italy, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 37 minutes.
Hanfmann enjoys Munich again, knocks out Mensik
Earlier in the day, Yannick Hanfmann upset No. 6 seed Jakub Mensik from the Czech Republic, snapping a six-match winning streak of the reigning Miami Open champion. The 33-year-old German wild card entry withstood 13 aces and 31 winners, breaking his opponent’s serve two times to succeed in two hours and 32 minutes.
“This win means a lot. I had a stretch of some rough matches,” Hanfmann said. “I knew the level was there, but you never know when it’s going to click, when it’s going to come. It came in Munich today. I like the conditions here. I am very grateful that the tournament gave me the opportunity to compete here with a wild card. It’s an amazing feeling.
“I was a bit sick last week, so I had to contain all the energy I had and focus on that what’s coming up. This probably pulled me through to the end.”
Munich is a special place for Hanfmann. The Karlsruhe native practices at the TennisBase Oberhaching, which is situated only a few kilometers away from the MTTC Iphitos. Back in 2017, the World No. 131 reached the first of 18 ATP Tour quarterfinals in the capital city of Bavaria.
“I have basically lived here for six years. We have a bit of altitude and the balls bounce quite a bit. A lot of people come out to support me. It’s always nice to play in front of your own fans,” said Hanfmann, whose next challenge will be against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.
Humbert, Darderi, Auger-Aliassime advance
Elsewhere, Ugo Humbert rallied from a set down over outlast Nicolas Jarry of Chile, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 after two hours and 20 minutes. The No. 4 seed from France will next play Fabian Marozsan of Hungary, who beat 17-year-old local wild card entry Justin Engel, 6-4, 6-1 in 68 minutes.
Also, Luciano Darderi set up a second-round meeting with Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. Darderi edged past Christopher O’Connell from Australia, a last-minute replacement for seventh-seeded Czech Jiri Lehecka, 7-6(3), 7-6(3) in one hour and 56 minutes.
In the final match of the day, Mariano Navone from Argentina knocks off third-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(3). The encounter lasted three hours and two minutes.
