Laura Siegemund caused a little surprise in the first round of the Australian Open. The doubles specialist from Metzingen defeated 17th-seeded Russian Jekaterina Alexandrowa on Monday after a three-set thriller 6:2, 3:6, 7:6 (11:9).
Shortly afterwards, Tatjana Maria also won her opening game against Camila Osorio from Colombia 7:5, 6:7 (4:7), 6:4 and also defied circulatory problems in the meantime. At the start on Sunday, Tamara Korpatsch had already survived the first round. Qualifier Ella Seidel, however, was eliminated.
Laura Siegemund plays for more than three hours
Siegemund got off to a strong start in 30 degree temperatures in summery Melbourne and took the first set without any major problems. After that she had difficulties with her serve and couldn’t even get her service through in the entire second set. The decision was made in the third set, where Siegemund initially trailed.
In the end, the world number 78 rewarded herself for a great effort of will and converted her second match point after 3:01 hours. She now faces Australian qualifier Storm Hunter. In the interview with Eurosport, the 35-year-old seemed visibly moved. “It’s not that easy, but does it have to be that tough?” she asked.
The support of the Australian audience in particular helped her, which is why she said to herself: “Play what you feel!” National coach Barbara Rittner certified her with almost 36 “the best tennis of my career.” This is certainly the final spurt of the career, “But such a final spurt can also be long”.
Tatjana Maria catches up with a 1:5 deficit
Maria made up for a 1:5 deficit in the first set, then gave up a 5:2 lead in the second round and lost the set in the tiebreak. The German number one then had to be treated for minutes at high temperatures of around 30 degrees because she had apparently developed circulatory problems in the heat.
However, the mother of two survived the weak phase and was the dominant player again in the third section. After 2:52 hours, Maria converted her first match point and then leaned against the net, completely exhausted. She is now dealing with the Italian Jasmine Paolini.“I’m overjoyed that I won”said the 36-year-old. “I had to fight to the last point. I have to recover first.”
Six German tennis professionals are in action on the second day of the Australian Open. Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber, however, will not play their first round games until Tuesday.
Coco Gauff is already in a good mood
US Open winner Coco Gauff easily reached the second round on Monday (January 15, 2024). The 19-year-old American beat Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6:3, 6:0 in Melbourne on Monday. Gauff needed exactly one hour for her success.
In the second round, the American will face her compatriot Caroline Dolehide. “I feel good, I just want to have fun. This is definitely the ‘Happy Slam’ here in Australia and that’s what I’m trying to be”said Gauff.
Early exit for Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova
However, Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova suffered an early exit. The Czech, number seven in the world, had no chance against the outstanding Ukrainian qualifier Dajana Jastremska and lost 1:6, 2:6. Jastremska’s compatriot Elina Switolina, seeded 24th, moved into the next round with an easy 6:2, 6:2 against Australian Taylah Preston.
Daniil Medvedev complains about the heat
Among the men, co-favorite Daniil Medvedev has mastered his opening hurdle after teething problems. With a score of 5:7, 6:2, 6:4, 1:0, the Russian benefited from the injury-related retirement of his opponent Terence Atmane from France and reached the second round in Melbourne for the seventh time in a row.
“It was a difficult match, there were brutal conditions. It’s very hot”said the 2021 and 2022 finalist after his match in the Australian midday sun. The world number three now meets the Finnish Emil Ruusuvuori.