Perfect start for the German tennis women in Melbourne: After Tatjana Maria, the other two starters in the main field, Laura Siegemund and Jule Niemeier, also made it into the second round of the Australian Open.
Siegemund beat the American Hailey Baptiste after a marathon match lasting 3:16 hours. The 36-year-old won the intense game despite being one set down 4:6, 7:5, 6:4 and will now face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen from China.
Niemeier, who was in a great mood, then made short work of qualifier Maja Chwalinska from Poland, 6-0, 6-1 in 1:14 hours. Niemeier from Dortmund didn’t give her inexperienced opponent the slightest chance.
Dominik Koepfer is canceling his sails
For the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, who has recovered after difficult times last year, it is the first time she has taken part in the second round of the Australian Open. There she may meet the 17th seeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.
For Dominik Koepfer, however, the men’s first round of the main draw was the end of the line. The qualifier from Furtwangen gave Australian local hero Jordan Thompson a tough fight, but had to admit defeat 6:7 (3:7), 4:6, 6:4, 3:6.
Laura Siegemund wants to enjoy the current events
Laura Siegemund was satisfied after her match: “It means a lot to me. I’m a year older again and have shown once again that I’m still at a good level physically.”said Siegemund, who didn’t want to waste any thought on her upcoming task: “I’m now at a stage in my career where I want to take two or three hours to enjoy what’s going on.”
Two years ago, the doubles expert Siegemund (2020 US Open winner) had already reached the third singles round in Melbourne – now she is fighting against the Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen from China to do it again.
The Metzinger initially had problems against the American, who hit at up to 190 kilometers per hour, but ultimately took control of the game with her experience. The German number one won a match with numerous breaks on both sides in front of national coach Torben Beltz.
Tatjana Maria was the first of the three German starters to qualify for the second round on Sunday with a victory over Bernarda Pera (USA). In the next match on Wednesday, Maria, the oldest player in the main field, is now waiting for the Dane Clara Tauson.
Iga Swiatek and Coco Cauff without much effort
The top favorites continue to show no weakness. After defending champion Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus had booked her ticket for the second round, Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff (USA) also won their respective opening matches the next day.
Swiatek beat Katerina Siniakova 6:3, 6:4. The world number two only needed 1:21 hours against her Czech opponent. Swiatek is still waiting for a tournament victory in Melbourne.
Gauff had previously also prevailed in the Rod Laver Arena. The world number three beat her compatriot Sofia Kenin 6:3, 6:3. “I knew it would be difficult, but I’m happy with how I played” said the 2023 US Open winner afterwards.
Jannik Sinner defies the debates
In the men’s field, defending champion Jannik Sinner defied the ongoing discussions about his doping case and ultimately celebrated a confident opening victory. The Italian world number one won against the sometimes strong Chilean Nicolas Jarry 7:6 (7:2), 7:6 (7:5), 6:1.
At the start of his hunt for his third Grand Slam title, Sinner appeared highly concentrated in the crucial phases of the game. After 2:40 hours, the 23-year-old converted his match point.