ATP Challenger Ismaning: Bachinger and Lenz qualify
Successful start at the WOLFFKRAN OPEN 2021. On Sunday and Monday the qualifying games of the 44,820 euro tournament of the ATP Challenger Tour were played on the facility of the TC Ismaning. Among the 16 participants, seven German players were represented in the qualifying field of the "International Indoor Championships of Bavaria".
by PM
last edit: Oct 26, 2021, 08:51 am
With Matthias Bachinger (ATP 279) and Julian Lenz (ATP 290) two DTB players were able to fight for a place in the main field of the ATP Challenger tournament. After the Munich Bachinger won the duel between the local heroes against Michael Weindl from the organizing TC Ismaning, Alexander Satschko's protégé also prevailed in two sets against the Japanese Hiroki Moriya (ATP 288), who in his opening match DTB- Junior Philip Florig (ITF Juniors 54) was able to defeat in two sets. After the match, the 34-year-old was satisfied: “ After I was the clear favorite in the first match, I knew that I had to improve for today's encounter. I had lost the last meeting against him. Due to long-term problems with my knee, I haven't had a lot of matches recently, so of course every win is good for self-confidence ”. In the main field, Bachinger faces Altug Celikbilek (ATP 169) from Turkey.
The Gießener Lenz also remained in the qualification without losing a set. After the success against the French Geoffrey Blancaneaux (ATP 291), the 28-year-old had the upper hand in the German final duel against the former No. 25 in the world rankings Mischa Zverev (ATP 317), the older brother of Olympic champion Alexander Zverev. This had benefited in the first round from the injury-related retirement of Mirza Basic (ATP 268) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Former college player Lenz commented on his successful performance as follows: “ On the carpet, it is always a bit difficult to find your rhythm at the beginning. I managed to feel more and more comfortable on the pitch with serves and returns. I haven't reached my top level yet, but I hope that I still get some chances to show that here ”. In the main field, Lenz faces the Turkish Cem Ilkel (ATP 179).
Johannes Härtis (ATP 396) from Upper Palatinate and Nicola Kuhn (ATP 257) from Ludwigshafen could not qualify for the main field. Both players had to bow to the high-serving Finn Otto Virtanen (ATP 374) in three sets. While the 25-year-old left-hander Härtis was able to put the French Tristan Lamasine (ATP 280) in their place at the beginning, the 21-year-old Kuhn already lost out in his opening round.
Masur and Kamke are defeated at the start of the main draw
Following the qualification matches, five matches of the 32-player main field were played today. At the beginning, TennisBase professional Daniel Masur (ATP 233) from Bückeburg lost against Quentin Halys (ATP 158), who was seeded at No. 8. With 24 aces beaten, the French prevailed after 2:13 hours of play with 6-4, 5-7 and 6: 3.
Tobias Kamke (ATP 251) could not stand against his seeded opponent either. The 35-year-old challenged the No. 3 of the tournament Andreas Seppi (ATP 93) from Italy in the “Match of the Day”. After the Lübeck could not use his two break chances, he had to congratulate the South Tyrolean after 75 minutes with 5: 7, 3: 6 for moving into the next round.
The Slovak Wolffkran Open Champion from 2019 Lukas Lacko (ATP 180), the No. 6 seeded Czech Tomas Machac (ATP 141) and the Pole Kacper Zuk (ATP 172) were able to pass the most opening hurdles.