The wait was worth it. Friday at 4 p.m. it was clear: the local heroes Noma Noha Akugue (19) and Ella Seidel (18) will get the last wildcards for the “Hamburg European Open” at Rothenbaum. Not for the qualification – the two are in the main draw of a WTA tournament for the first time!
Tournament director Sandra Reichel (51) had waited until the end of the registration period for the second oldest tennis tournament in the world. No top 20 player asked at the last minute. Too bad too: The top seeded Daria Kasatkina (26/Russia) and Anastasia Potapova (22/Russia) canceled.
As a result, number 164 Eva Lys (21) slipped directly into the 32 field. So the way was clear – and Reichel gave the talents a huge chance at the only German combination event.
With the other two Alster girls Tamara Korpatsch (28) and Eva Lys (21) there are four Hamburg women in the race. That’s never happened before! Much to the delight of tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic (35), who is amazed: “You’re doing something in the water here in Hamburg!”
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The DTB mentor trusts Akugue (No. 197) and Seidel (302) to jump. “They will definitely help shape the future of tennis.”
The qualification starts on Saturday (10.30 a.m.). Sunday (1 p.m.) is the first serve for the women’s main draw.
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Those: WTA/DAZN/Facebook via Reuters 21.07.2023
The men will follow on Monday (11 a.m.). In addition to Alexander Zverev (26), Petkovic looks particularly at French Open finalist Casper Ruud (24 / Norway) and 2020 winner Andrey Rublev (25 / Russia). “With Ruud, it’s really worth looking at the forehand up close. On TV you don’t see how much rotation and height he plays with,” says the former No. 9. Rublev also did it for her: “If you can do it: Please watch him in training! I’ve never seen anyone hit the ball like that.”
2023-07-21 21:20:21
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