Munich (AP) – Tennis veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber lost the German generational duel with Daniel Altmaier in what was probably his last appearance in Munich.
The 38-year-old from Augsburg lost to his 15-year-old opponent in the first round 6:7 (5:7), 6:3 and 1:6. After almost two and a half hours, Altmaier used his second match point.
On the Center Court in Munich, a not always high-class, but often exciting first-round game developed. After Kohlschreiber lost an early lead, the former world number 16 fought his way through. thanks to placed topspin shots in the third set. In the end, the strength was not enough and Altmaier made it clear with a backhand winner that they made it into the round of 16.
Kohlschreiber has won the traditional event on the Iphitos facility three times so far and is at the end of his long career. In winter he had announced that he would definitely give it “full throttle” until the grass classic in Wimbledon in June.
Olympic champion Alexander Zverev starts the tournament on Wednesday. Youngster Max Rehberg was eliminated after a 2:6, 3:6 against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. Oscar Otte from Cologne is the third German next to Zverev and Altmaier in the tournament.