Zverev and Struff train together
Players' Night a complete success
Hats, scarves and gloves were the most frequently worn accessories on the MTTC Iphitos course on Tuesday. However, the spectators were not deterred from attending the BMW Open by the frosty temperatures and gusty wind. They were rewarded with attractive and top-class tennis.
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Maximilian Marterer from Nuremberg played out a real thriller. The two faced each other for 3:24 hours in these very difficult conditions, gave each other nothing and played the longest match at the BMW Open since the data was recorded. Auger-Aliassime prevailed with a great will to win: "That was one of the craziest matches I've ever played," he said on centre court, "I was lucky with his match point and I'm very happy to still be in the tournament." Marterer had won the first round in a tie-break, the second by the Canadian, also in a tie-break. In the third, the German was already leading 5:2 and had match point at 6:5, but Auger-Aliassime was able to fend him off. The Canadian, in turn, did not miss his chance and converted his first match point in the tie-break of the third set to win 6:7(5); 7:6(6); 7:6(3). He will now face Taro Daniel from Japan in the round of 16.
Dominik Koepfer was eliminated by the 2019 BMW Open winner Cristian Garin from Chile.
He played a very solid match, had good length in his strokes and prevailed in two sets (7:6; 6:3). But he also struggled with the cold temperatures and the difficult conditions, coming to the microphone wrapped up thickly: "I've been to Munich a lot, so I know it here, but there's never been this much wind. Nevertheless, I'm very happy to be here, I love this tournament." The spectators, who were also wrapped up, thanked him for this statement with a loud round of applause.
The best German players at the moment, Alexander Zverev and Jan-Lennard Struff, were not on the match programme today. The two took the opportunity to train together and then dropped by the press centre. Both have big plans for the BMW Open. "Struffi" definitely wants to go far, preferably as far as the final, where he would then meet Zverev: "This is simply a great tournament in Munich. Patrik Kühnen and his team organise it perfectly. And there were so many people watching the training session with Sascha today, including lots of children - it was great fun." For Alexander Zverev, a final against Struff would of course also be desirable, "but then it's over", he grinned. He also really likes Munich: "This is my tenth time playing at the BMW Open, I haven't missed a tournament since 2014 and I hope it stays that way."
There was a lot of talk today at the MTTC Iphitos facility about the Players' Night on Monday evening at the Golden Racket Club by Käfer. Several hundred guests met there to celebrate together, enjoy the exclusive Käfer food, dance and have good conversations. The red carpet was traditionally very busy. In addition to top players Zverev, Fritz, Thiem and Struff, the celebrity guests also included Yvonne Catterfeld, Fabio Knez & Darya Strelnikova, Sophia Thomalla, Annemarie and Wayne Carpendale, Bachelor Sebastian Klaus and participants in the current Germany's Next Top Model season. The evening was rounded off with a concert by pop singer Leony.
