Nastasja Schunk missed a surprise on her French Open debut.
The 18-year-old tennis talent kept up in Paris against the former tournament winner and world number one Simona Halep for a long time, but then had to admit defeat. The athlete from Ludwigshafen lost on the court to Simonne Mathieu 4:6, 6:1, 1:6.
Schunk slipped into the tournament as a so-called “lucky loser”. The Wimbledon 2021 junior finalist benefited from Croatia’s Ana Konjuh’s injury and at times had her sights set on the biggest win of her career thanks to her powerful play. However, Halep gained decisively in the third set and Schunk still had to learn the lesson.
The hopes of Oscar Otte from Cologne and Peter Gojowczyk from Munich were also not fulfilled. The 28-year-old Otte lost to the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6: 7 (5: 7), 1: 6, 6: 3, 6: 2, 3: 6. At the end of the 3:44 long game, the round of 16 from New York had to struggle with cramps.
Gojowczyk was denied his first victory even in his fourth main draw participation. The 32-year-old failed 2: 6, 2: 6, 1: 6 at Italian Lorenzo Sonego. “I’m disappointed,” said Gojowczyk: “I’ll keep trying in Paris and won’t stick my head in the sand.”