HAMBURG, July 23, 2017

16-year-old Rudolf Molleker highlighted the final day of the qualifying into the German Open in Hamburg, as the German teenager ousted 2014 Rothenbaum champion Leonardo Mayer on Sunday to advance to his first main draw on the ATP World Tour.

The World No. 926, who entered his maiden qualifying at ATP level with a wild card, scored a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win over the Argentine. Molleker withstood 11 aces, hitting five of his own to prevail after two hours and 20 minutes. In the round before he rallied past Norway’s rising star Casper Ruud 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Molleker will challenge #NextGenATP star and tournament’s third seed Karen Khachanov from Russia in the first round. Leonardo Mayer eventually also made it into the main draw, replacing defending champion Martin Klizan as lucky loser. The Slovakian pulled out due to injury. Mayer will take on Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain, the top seed of the ATP 500 event.