Molleker and Masur surprise at the Hamburg tournament

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amburg (dpa) – Thanks to two happy players, German tennis players made a dream debut at the Hamburg tournament

At the start of the 1.703 million euros sand tournament at the traditional Rothenbaum, the team was only 17 years old. Old Rudolf Molleker and qualifier Daniel Masur kicked off the second round on Monday. Molleker fought the Spanish veteran David Ferrer in 2:29 hours with 7: 5, 5: 7, 6: 3 down. Masur won the German duel against favorite Maximilian Marterer with 6: 3, 6: 4.

On the other hand, veteran Florian Mayer came off the bench. Bayreuther, 34, lost to Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, number three, after a fierce fight in 6: 2, 1: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7). The finalist of last year was beaten after 2:12 hours. For the former Davis Cup professional, it was his last participation in an ATP tournament in Germany. Mayer will finish his career after the US Open this year.

Molleker still has his future ahead of him. "I've always watched it on TV, and now I've hit it – it's amazing," said Molleker after his 19-year-old success against Ferrer on the pay-TV channel. Sky ". "And that in Hamburg – I love Hamburg," said the Berliner, whom they trust in the German Tennis Federation.It was only his second victory on the ATP Tour. [19659011] Against Ferrer Molleker ran bravely from the start, from time to time he exaggerated the youngster, only thanks to a wildcard from outgoing tournament director Michael Stich in the main draw with his aggressive style of play, but in crucial moments Molleker stayed pretty cool, even the unfortunate second set lost, I could not get the outsider out of the rest. "At the start of the crucial round, he managed a break, he finally used his first match point to pbad to the second round

there Molleker meets the Slovak qualifier Jozef Kovalik. "He played a lot last. But if I keep playing like that, then surely something is possible, "said Molleker." The tournament is not over yet. "

This also applies to Masur. 23-year-old native Munich also showed a good performance against Marterer and earned his place. "It's definitely my biggest success so far," said Masur after his compelling performance. "Maxi and I we know very well because we often train together. Today, I managed to improve my game a little bit, "said world number 349.

Masur is now opposed to Diego Schwartzman, second, while the Argentinian had beaten Casper Ruud of Norway 6: 4, 2: 6, 6: 2. "Now, of course, I still want to win another game here in Hamburg," said the Munich, who had already played two qualifying matches this weekend. 19659011] Defending champion Leonardo Mayer also pbaded the second round.The Argentine easily beat the Spanish Albert Ramos-Vinolas with 6: 3, 6: 2. Tuesday, for the first time, the favorite Dominic Thiem comes in. The 24-year-old Austrian meets Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the last match of the Center Court, and the three Germans Philipp Kohlschreiber, Peter Gojowczyk and Jan-Lennard Struff are in action.

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