WTA tournament
Niemeier surprises in Bad Homburg
Tennis player Jule Niemeier caused a surprise in Bad Homburg. Photo
© Hannes P Albert/dpa
Only after another player withdrew did Jule Niemeier move into the main draw at the tennis tournament in Bad Homburg. As an outsider in the first round, she rewarded herself for a strong comeback.
Former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Jule Niemeier is at the tennis tournament in Bad Homburg surprisingly made it into the second round. The 24-year-old German won against the top seeded Greek Maria Sakkari 2:6, 6:2, 7:6 (7:4) after an improvement in her performance and will now face Paula Badosa from Spain.
Niemeier had actually already been eliminated in the qualification, but then moved into the main field at short notice as a so-called lucky loser after the Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto withdrew.
Kerber also in Bad Homburg
On Monday, the opening match of three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber is scheduled for the WTA tournament in Hesse. The 36-year-old will play against Russian Diana Schneider. Tamara Korpatsch, who also slipped into the main draw as a lucky loser, will also face Beatriz Haddad Maia from Brazil.
Already on Sunday, former Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria was eliminated in the first round against Viktorija Tomova from Bulgaria.
The tournament in Bad Homburg serves as preparation for the sporting highlight of the grass season in Wimbledon. The Grand Slam event begins next Monday.