Last year, Niemeier narrowly missed the first jump into the Wimbledon main draw and, after the French Open a month ago, is only taking part in a Grand Slam for the second time. “I’m trying to absorb all of this here, I still don’t quite know where to go,” she said before the match about her experience at Wimbledon, where she also admired Rafael Nadal in training. At the beginning of June, the Borussia Dortmund football fan won his first title on the WTA tour at a smaller tournament in Makarska, Croatia.
Petkovic: “An absolute top 20 player”
An experienced German had believed her capable of this for a long time. “I’m counting on her in the hope that she stays healthy and injury-free, that’s the most important thing,” said 34-year-old Andrea Petkovic about Niemeier. “In terms of play, she’s an absolute top 20 player for me. She knows that, I tell her that seven to eight times a day.”
In the second largest Wimbledon stadium, Niemeier showed no nerves from the start and kept up with Kontaveit. A backhand error by the Estonian coached by Torben Beltz, Angelique Kerber’s former coach, brought Niemeier the break to 3:2. With overview and wit she kept the lead and used her second set point after 32 minutes with a finely placed long forehand.
Kontaveit showed nerves, conceded another break due to a double fault right at the beginning of the second set. The Estonian, who had never made it past the third round at Wimbledon, was completely impressed. Niemeier pulled away easily and mercilessly exploited her opponent’s weaknesses. After another mistake by Kontaveit, the coup was complete.