Siegemund also out in Melbourne
Korpatsch feels like crying in the middle of the match
January 17, 2024, 10:45 a.m
The second round of the Australian Open gets off to a sobering start for German tennis. Laura Siegemund cannot confirm her top form, while Tamara Korpatsch “despairs a bit” about her own body because she was actually “so fit.”
Tamara Korpatsch’s dream of reaching the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time was actually shattered after just two service games. Out of nowhere, the 28-year-old from Hamburg suddenly felt a pain in her lower back and from then on she was only able to move to a limited extent. “I almost cried on the pitch,” said Korpatsch after the clear 2:6, 2:6 against number nine seeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova.
“What bad luck. At the Australian Open of all places,” said the world number 80. “I’ve actually never been injured in my career. And now I had the foot problems towards the end of the year and now this with my back.” Korpatsch was treated several times and also received painkillers. But that wasn’t enough. “They always only work for me after an hour and a half or so,” said the North German: “I’m a little desperate because I was so fit.”
If he wasn’t physically at 100 percent, Korpatsch had no chance against Krejcikova. The Czech dominated the game and took the first set after 41 minutes. The Czech also got two quick breaks in the second round. After 1:25 hours the game was over and Korpatsch was eliminated. “Tough luck,” said Korpatsch, summing up the events.
A little later, Siegemund also had a surprising end. After her first round success against number 17 seeded Russian Jekaterina Alexandrowa, the Swabian had to admit defeat to Australian qualifier Storm Hunter 4:6, 6:3, 3:6 and thus missed a third round duel with her new doubles partner Krejcikova.
Siegemund has to focus on doubles
“I’m very disappointed. She played really good tennis, but I couldn’t reach my level today,” said Siegemund. On Monday, following her strong performance against Alexandrowa, the 35-year-old said that she was currently playing “the best tennis of my career”. Against Hunter, who like Siegemund is actually a doubles specialist, this time you could only see some of it.
Although the double world champion once again showed a convincing fighting performance against Hunter, this time her efforts were not rewarded. Driven by the Australian fans, the 29-year-old local hero played one of the best games of her career and made it through after 2:21 hours.
Siegemund also blamed wrist pain for the unnecessary defeat, which would have cost her a few training sessions in preparation. The pain has now gone away again, which is why the first Grand Slam tournament of the new season is far from over for her. In doubles she is one of the favorites together with Krejcikova, and she is also represented in mixed doubles.
In the singles, however, there is only one German player. Tatjana Maria will face number 26 seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini in her second round game on Thursday night (3 a.m. CET/Eurosport). In the men’s category, Alexander Zverev will fight against the Slovakian qualifier Lukas Klein (1 a.m. CET) and Jan-Lennard Struff against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (3 a.m./CET) for a place in round three.