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Tennis tournament in Hamburg: Petkovic in the quarterfinals

Ahen Andrea Petkovic already jubilantly raised his fist in the air on the first outdoor pitch at Hamburg’s Rothenbaum, Nicola Kuhn was still annoyed by tournament top favorite Carlos Alcaraz. After a highly courageous performance with great fighting spirit in the sweltering heat, the 22-year-old from Ludwigshafen finally had to admit defeat to the world number six after 2:26 hours of play 6:3, 1:6, 6:7 (3:7).

“I know that Nico is playing well,” said Alcaraz appreciatively after the tight first-round duel: “I knew that I had to reach my best level and I’m really happy to be in the round of 16.” The shooting star still has a lot planned for the Elbe, the conditions with 35 degrees in the shade suit him: “The weather is really similar to Spain.”

Last year’s finalist Andrea Petkovic is one step further than Alcaraz in the parallel women’s competition. The 34-year-old long-time favorite is already in the quarter-finals after beating Misaki Doi from Japan 6-4, 6-3. Jule Niemeier and Sabine Lisicki, on the other hand, were eliminated in the first round. Daniel Altmaier (Kempen) also lost, so the men’s tournament continues from the round of 16 without German participation.

Petkovic accepts the pain

“It was definitely warm, heated, metaphorical and on the pitch,” said Petkovic, beaming after her next win and feeling ready for more feats despite a bruised elbow on her right arm. “Over 30 you have to accept certain pains in life,” she said with a smile.

Twelve years younger and probably a long career ahead of her is Niemeier, the Wimbledon quarter-finalist. Near the Alster, the Dortmund native had to face the Swiss world rankings 165 on Tuesday. Joanne Zuger 4: 6, 6: 0, 4: 6 and is now taking a week’s vacation with the family before starting preparations for the US Open.

Lisicki, who wants to fight her way back to the top level after her long injury break, also had to pack her things in Hamburg. She lost to Serbian Aleksandra Krunic 4:6, 2:6. “I’ll keep fighting,” said the Berliner afterwards: “There were a lot of minor mistakes that shouldn’t happen if you want to get to the top.”

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