Despite a strong first set, tennis player Tatjana Maria clearly missed the hoped-for coup against the Polish world number one Iga Swiatek in Bad Homburg. A week before the start of Wimbledon, the 35-year-old lost 7-5, 2-6, 0-6 against the French Open winner on Monday (26.06.23).
At 9:14 p.m. and after 1:52 hours of play, Maria’s performance at the grass event ended, where Angelique Kerber, who is taking a break, is present as a tournament ambassador. Maria was only in the final of a smaller tournament in Gaiba on Sunday.
Maria unsatisfied with timing
It was difficult for her, just one day after the final at a WTA tournament in Italy “to be 100 percent”said the 35-year-old after the match, “I think it’s important to say that I didn’t really agree with the schedule”said the Swabian, “You could have played the first round on Tuesday.”
Only on Monday morning was the world number 58. and Wimbledon semi-finalist of the previous year left Italy, but could still annoy Swiatek at first.
Although the Swabian quickly ran behind a residue. Aside from the first game, she held through, was successful with her undercut slice and net attacks. Swiatek also made a few mistakes. Maria equalized at 4:4 – and secured the first set with the next break. Rounds two and three then developed into clear affairs for the favourite.
Peaceful, confident despite defeat
This means that after the second day all German participants in the tournament, which is worth almost 260,000 US dollars, were eliminated. Anna-Lena Friedsam just missed a surprise in the 6: 4, 4: 6, 5: 7 against Mayar Sherif from Egypt, who was number four. “She came with tournament victories behind her, unfortunately I had the flu. I think that made the difference, that I didn’t have that much time to prepare. All in all, it was a good match.”said the 29-year-old from Andernach, looking forward to Wimbledon, “I think I can hurt a lot of opponents because I control the game up front.”
Lena Papadakis, who had moved into the main draw after a cancellation as a failed qualifier, had no chance. The 24-year-old from Berlin lost to former Canadian US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 0: 6, 1: 6. Former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki left Berlin on Sunday.