A lot of frustration and still no ray of hope: Disappointing start from the DTB point of view in Melbourne
The DTB squad could not convince in the day session on day one of the Australian Open 2023. Jule Niemeier and Yannick Hanfmann should still provide positive feelings.
by SID
last edit: Jan 16, 2023, 09:52 am
Oscar Otte was hard on himself, Daniel Altmaier could hardly console his opponent's praise: The first day of the Australian Open initially left a lot of frustration among the German professionals. Grand Slam debutante Eva Lys and Tamara Korpatsch also tried in vain. Yannick Hanfmann and Jule Niemeier in a duel with the world number one Iga Swiatek can still ensure success.
Otte had the hardest time coping with his appearance. "I felt like I was a garbage can on the pitch and didn't manage at all to play a reasonable return with my backhand, above all," said the 29-year-old after his 2: 6, 4: 6, 7: 6 (7th minute). :2), 5:7 defeat against the only 17-year-old Chinese player Shang Juncheng.
Altmaier with a good performance against Tiafoe
Daniel Altmaier defended himself for 3:19 hours in the Kia Arena, then the 24-year-old had to give up the US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe after a 3: 6, 3: 6, 7: 6 (5), 6: 7 (8 )-defeat finally congratulate. Lys lost to the Spaniard Cristina Bucsa 6: 2, 0: 6, 2: 6, Korpatsch had to admit defeat to the British Emma Raducanu, US Open winner of 2021, 3: 6, 2: 6.
"Today it didn't fail for me because of tennis, but because of the circumstances. I'm only human and not a robot," said Lys, who had fought through the qualification: "I was very excited. The first time at a Major was an incredible experience for me." She wants to learn from the "very, very important experience".
Zverev on a larger court
Otte from Cologne certainly wants that too, but initially he found it extremely difficult to have positive thoughts. "It's amazing what happened today. I still can't really believe it," he said: "We trained in preparation until we puked." It was one of his worst matches in recent years, but the German number two didn't want to bury his head in the sand.
On Tuesday, German number one Alexander Zverev intervened - with a prominent lucky charm on his side. Basketball icon Dirk Nowitzki, whom Zverev met in the run-up to the Australian Open, has announced himself for the game against Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas in Melbourne on Tuesday. "I think he will be there for my match," said the Olympic champion.
Nowitzki will have to appear earlier than initially planned. Nick Kyrgios' withdrawal due to injury and announced at short notice has an impact on the scheduling of Zverev's first major game since the French Open. The appearance of the former world number one has been moved from the 1573 Arena to the larger Margaret Court Arena and will start a little earlier, from 4.30 a.m. Central European Time (Eurosport).