Andrea Petkovic (34) left her center court with tears in her eyes.
Eleven Germans started the first combined tournament in 44 years at the European Open in Rothenbaum. Now everyone is out.
The tournament ambassador had to give up injured in the quarter-finals against world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit (26/Estonia) with a score of 0:6, 0:2.
A “golf elbow” has been plaguing her for weeks (BILD reported). “The old irons are holding the flag high with cracking joints,” the multi-talent joked beforehand.
Then she tore the adductors in her left thigh when she caught a line while sliding. After the first sentence, she went to a physiotherapist – but it was no longer of any use…
tears out! Petkovic retires injured!
“I thought the whole time, see that my elbow holds up,” Petko sighed. “I didn’t expect to have to give up because of my adductor.”
But even before that she had no chance against the killer in the pleated skirt. “You like my game. My flat ball flies right into her racket,” said Petkovic.
Kontaveit only moved up last Friday via wildcard. Actually, she had prepared for hard court with her Hamburg coach Torben Beltz (45) in Tallinn. With every match on clay, she now gets stronger. Fitness is also back after a corona disease. Kontaveit: “It’s getting better and better.”
That’s why she’s a favorite for Petkovic: “I definitely think she’s capable of the title.”
But first Kontaveit meets the Russian Anastasia Potapova (21) in the semifinals on Friday (1 p.m., ServusTV). And knows: “She hits the balls and plays very aggressively. I have to be very consistent and show my best tennis.”
Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals
Tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz is the best clay court player of the season
Young star Carlos Alcaraz (19/Spain) celebrated his 22nd clay court victory of the season in the men’s category. The No. 6 in the world had to fight hard against Filip Krajinovic (30/Serbia) for one set under the closed roof, then thanks to his hammer forehand it became a clear affair – 7: 6, 6: 3.
Alcaraz: “It was pretty tough. Filip played incredibly. I had to play one of my best matches on the tour. It was pretty close.”
Quarter-final opponent on Friday afternoon: Karen Khachanov (26/Russia). “It’s going to be a great match,” said the young man from Murcia. “With today’s performance I have the necessary self-confidence.”
Andrey Rublev (24/Russia), seeded second, was surprisingly knocked out 4: 6, 2: 6 against Francisco Cerundolo (23/Argentina).
