HAMBURG, August 13, 2026
The Rothenbaum Tennis Complex has long been a happy hunting ground for Georgian players. While Nikoloz Basilashvili lifted the Hamburg ATP Tour title twice, in 2018 and 2019, his compatriot Saba Purtseladze is now writing his own chapter at the Hamburg Ladies & Gents Cup.
The 24-year-old from Tbilisi, ranked world No. 659, advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenger 75 on a sunny Thursday, battling past Germany’s Max Rehberg, No. 332 in the world, 6-1, 5-7, 7-5.
Purtseladze won 72 per cent of his first-service points and converted six break points to eventually leave the Center Court victorious after almost three hours.
The tennis gods said YES 🙏😅
Saba Purtseladze survives a rollercoaster 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 battle against Rehberg to reach his first Challenger quarter-final of the season! 🎢#ATPChallenger | 📍Hamburg pic.twitter.com/OYq89PV3eV
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) August 13, 2026
“I was able to bring the speed back into my shots in the third set. That was decisive today,” Purtseladze said afterwards. “I actually love playing on faster surfaces. I struggled with some injuries at the beginning of the year. I had to change my service motion and started playing more often on clay. By now, I’ve learned how to move on this surface and things are going quite well.”
Last year, Purtseladze captured his first ATP Challenger title on home soil in Tbilisi. He now has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Basilashvili, the most successful player in Georgian tennis history, who reached a career-high No. 16 in the ATP Rankings.
“As a teenager, I already followed Nikoloz’s career,” Purtseladze said. “We had the opportunity to practice together from time to time quite early on. In 2022, we were able to represent Georgia together at the ATP Cup, which was a great experience.”
The two Georgians did not discuss Basilashvili’s previous success at the Rothenbaum ahead of the tournament, however.
“We haven’t spoken about it. But I had already been to Hamburg and was able to see a few things around the city. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Germany,” Purtseladze said.
Dodig Sets Up Quarterfinal Clash
Purtseladze’s stay in Hamburg will continue with a quarterfinal meeting against Croatia’s Matej Dodig, the No. 257-ranked player in the world. The 21-year-old from Osijek defeated Germany’s Rudolf Molleker 6-4, 6-3.
“The first set was important today. I was able to take my chances,” Dodig explained when asked about the key to his victory.
Dodig had already reached the quarterfinals of the Hamburg Ladies & Gents Cup last year, when the tournament was still held indoors at the Hamburg Tennis Federation. This time, he has made the last eight on the Rothenbaum’s famous outdoor courts.
“Hamburg is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to,” Dodig said. “Playing here in this stadium makes you feel like a really big player. It’s great to be back.”
Czech qualifier Jan Kumstat, ranked No. 336, and Spain’s Carlos Taberner, No. 409, complete the quarterfinal line-up. The remaining quarterfinal matches will be played on Friday, including an all-German clash between Hamburg native Marvin Moeller and Niels McDonald of Schwerin.
