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Of the four Germans playing the second round at the Hamburg European Open on Wednesday, three made it to the quarter-finals. This included 19-year-old Norma Noha Akugue, who’s playing in the main draw of a WTA tournament for the first time in her career this week.
Akugue came from 6-0 down in the first set to beat Storm Hunter, 0-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in two hours and 32 minutes. Akugue hit eight aces in the second set. Both players converted three break points each on the other’s serve before Akugue levelled the match after winning the tie-break, 8-6.
In the deciding set, the Australian won 72% of her first-serve points to the German’s 64%. But the latter won 10 of 15 points on return on Hunter’s second serve while winning 55% of her second-serve points. The set had just the one break of serve – of Hunter’s, while Akugue saved all five break points she faced.
Martina Trevisan will be Akugue’s next opponent, in her quarter-final debut of a WTA tournament.
Hamburg European Open: Daria Saville builds her momentum
Akugue’s fellow German, Jule Niemeier upset sixth seed Yulia Putintseva in their round-of-16 clash.
Niemeier also came from a set down to beat the Kazakh 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 in two hours and 36 minutes. Niemeier won 77% of her first-serve points and 40% of her second-serve points. She also won 69% of points on return on Putintseva’s second serve.
She converted seven break points on her opponent’s serve while saving five of the nine break points she faced. The world no. 103 will now play Daria Saville. The Australian defeated Niemeier’s compatriot, Tamara Korpatsch 7-6(6), 6-2 in their second-round encounter.
Lastly, Eva Lys was the third home player to make it to the quarters of the Hamburg European Open. Lys won 6-3, 6-1 against Panna Udvardy. Next up for Lys will be seventh seed Arantxa Rus. Rus won against Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.