Rafael Nadal was then too strong: qualifier Yannick Hanfmann was far from a surprise at the Australian Open. At 2: 6, 3: 6, 4: 6, the Karlsruher defended himself bravely in Melbourne on Wednesday. The number 126 in the world was ultimately unable to endanger the 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner from Spain in the second round duel in the Rod Laver Arena.
For ten of the initially twelve German professionals, failure at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year is already sealed. “I know he’s dangerous,” Nadal said of Hanfmann after approvingly clapping him off Center Court: “I think his tennis level was much higher today than his ranking position.”
Dominik Koepfer and Oscar Otte were also knocked out in the second round. The Black Forest Davis Cup player Koepfer lost against the favored American Reilly Opelka in three sets with 4: 6, 3: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7). US Open round of 16 Otte was unable to repeat his success from New York and lost 6:2, 2:6, 3:6 1:6 to Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who was 25th. At the US Open last year, the Cologne native defeated Sonego in the first round and then surprised as a qualifier with the round of 16.
The great German hope at the Australian Open is Alexander Zverev. The Olympic champion from Hamburg meets the Australian John Millman on Wednesday (2nd game after 9.00 a.m. / Eurosport). On Thursday, Augsburg’s Philipp Kohlschreiber wants to extend his stay in Australia by beating Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
In doubles, the duo Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies meanwhile experienced a successful Grand Slam return. Thanks to a 7: 6 (9: 7), 6: 3 against the Mexican Santiago Gonzalez and Andres Molteni from Argentina, the two-time French Open winners moved into the second round.
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