BRAUNSCHWEIG/STARNBERG, July 6, 2026
The 32nd edition of the BRAWO Open got underway on Sunday at the BTHC grounds in Braunschweig’s Bürgerpark, with the opening rounds of qualifying played in mixed sunshine and light rain.
A total of 12 qualifying matches were contested on the opening day, featuring ten German players. By the end of Monday’s final qualifying round, only Mika Petkovic and Rudolf Molleker had secured places in the main draw.
Molleker, a familiar face at the prestigious ATP Challenger 125 event, booked his place with a hard-fought 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Italy’s Samuele Pieri after two hours of play.
“Since my son was born seven weeks ago, I haven’t lost a match,” Molleker said with a smile during his on-court interview. “I hope that streak continues.”
Joining Molleker and Petkovic in the main draw are Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild, Slovakia’s Norbert Gombos, Bulgaria’s Dimitar Kuzmanov, Russia’s Andrey Chepelev, and Germany’s Max Hans Rehberg.
Rehberg produced one of the standout performances of the qualifying competition in the tournament’s Match of the Day, defeating 19-year-old French prospect Moise Kouame. Coached by former world No. 7 Richard Gasquet, Kouame impressed with his powerful baseline game, but Rehberg’s aggressive serving, composure and willingness to take the initiative proved decisive in an entertaining contest watched by German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann.
“Braunschweig is one of the best Challenger tournaments,” Rehberg said after his victory. “I always enjoy coming back here.”
The ATP Challenger 125 now moves into the main draw, which begins on Tuesday with 15 singles matches.
Top seed Roman Burruchaga of Argentina opens his campaign against German wildcard Max Schoenhaus, while second seed Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay takes on Bolivia’s Juan Carlos Prado Angelo.
The day’s opening match on the Center Court will feature German teenager Diego Dedura against France’s Clement Tabur, while another German wildcard, reigning 2025 Roland Garros boys’ champion Niels McDonald, faces American Keegan Smith.
Tuesday’s schedule concludes with an all-German Match of the Day between Marvin Möller and Benito Sanchez Martinez, as the tournament continues to showcase a blend of established professionals and emerging international talent at one of Germany’s premier clay-court Challenger events.
