World number one Iga Swiatek celebrated a successful debut at the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers: The Pole defeated the German number one Tatjana Maria 5:7, 6:2, 6:0 on the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court, which was sold out with 3500 spectators, and is through to the round of 16.
After 1:50 hours, Swiatek converted her first match point with a winner. “I’m quite happy with my performance, but can still improve. I’m just happy to have reached the next round,” said the four-time Grand Slam winner, who has been in the spa town for a week. On her personal Road to Wimbledon, Swiatek’s only stop will be in Bad Homburg.
Swiatek is celebrated on the sold-out Centre Court – “It was great”.
Maria, who just a day earlier had narrowly lost the final of the WTA tournament in Gaiba, Italy, had arrived in the spa town just six hours before the match – by plane from Bologna. But the travel stresses were not at all apparent to last year’s Wimbledon semifinalist at the start. In the first set, she did not let herself be shocked by an early loss of serve and won the set with the second break.
The favorite then adapted better and better to Maria’s slice backhand and dominated the match. Swiatek was loudly cheered by the Polish fans in the stands. “It was great that so many compatriots of mine were there,” emphasized “1GA,” who has been at the top of the world rankings for more than a year. In the round of the last 16, the 22-year-old will face Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann on Wednesday.
Wildcard holder Anna-Lena Friedsam also put up a good fight, but then lost to Egypt’s fourth seed Mayar Sherif 6-4, 4-6, 5-7 after 2:16 hours. “She came here with tournament wins behind her, and unfortunately I came here with the flu. That made a bit of a difference because I didn’t have that much time to prepare in terms of training days and training effort,” said Friedsam, the current German number two.
Sherif, ranked No. 31 in the world, 56 places higher than Friedsam, recently won the clay court events in Valencia and Makarska. The Rhineland-Palatinate native is nevertheless optimistic about the Wimbledon tournament starting next week. “I can play very dangerously on grass and hurt a lot of opponents,” Friedsam said, “because I can master this forward game.”
Last year’s finalist Bianca Andreescu also put in an energetic performance. The Canadian 2019 US Open winner converted her fourth match point to beat British wildcard Sonay Kartal 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 after 2:26 hours and will now face Rebeka Masarova of Spain in a duel to advance to the quarterfinals.
Lena Papadakis (Berlin), who was a lucky loser in the main draw, lost 6-0, 6-1 to Canadian Leylah Fernandez, a 2021 US Open finalist. Katerina Siniakova, the Czech who only lost to tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber in the final of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers in 2021, caused a surprise,
COMEBACK IN THE KURPARK: ANGELIQUE KERBER FULL OF ANTICIPATION AND DREAMING OF A SECOND TITLE
Angelique Kerber is back! The Wimbledon champion will be celebrating her comeback at the Bad Homburg Open (June 22 to 29, 2024) in the Kurpark and will be aiming for her second title there – in 2021, Tournament Ambassador Kerber won the premiere of the grass court event and provided unforgettable moments on the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court. Emotions are also guaranteed this time around.
“The great atmosphere in the stands and in the spectator area is always something special. Our goal from the start was to create an oasis of well-being for everyone: with Wimbledon flair and a boutique character,” the former number one said, looking forward to the coming summer.
Angie Kerber is back – Highlight Bad Homburg Open
Angelique Kerber, who was named Laureus ambassador at the German Sports Press Ball at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt last weekend, is currently preparing for the new season. After the birth of her daughter Liana in February, the three-time Grand Slam winner will play her first official match for the German team at the United Cup in Sydney at the end of December. In addition to the Olympics in Paris, another highlight for Kerber next year will be her appearance at the Bad Homburg Open.
Give the gift of anticipation – a touch of Wimbledon under the Christmas tree
Get your ticket for the Bad Homburg Open here and sweeten the waiting time for Angelique Kerber’s comeback in the Kurpark – also ideal as a gift under the Christmas tree!
In cooperation with Reservix, tickets can be purchased at authorized advance booking offices. Grandstand A tickets are also available now.
KATERINA SINIAKOVA CROWNED TOURNAMENT WINNER – “THIS TITLE MEANS A LOT TO ME” – PRAISE FOR UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE IN THE KURPARK
Bad Homburg, July 01, 2023 – When Katerina Siniakova was rewarded with the unique winner’s trophy of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers after a long final day, she was delighted with the fitting song: “You simply the Best,” it resounded over the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court, which was once again sold out with 3,500 spectators.
And it was clear to see how happy the Czech was about her first tournament coup on grass. “I am really proud. This title means a lot to me,” Siniakova said after beating Lucia Bronzetti (Italy), who was also unseeded, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), and enthused about the event with its Wimbledon flair: “I love it here! It’s one of my favorite tournaments, I enjoyed every minute again this time. Every day there were so many spectators in the stands supporting us. It’s very special to play on this Centre Court.”
For the world number one in doubles, who recently returned to the tour after a two-month break due to a wrist sprain, a circle was completed in the Kurpark: In 2021, Siniakova had lost the final of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers against tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber. This time she kept a cool head until the end. Which was a special challenge, because due to rain the final had to be interrupted for a good three hours at 2-1 in the second set. After the resumption, the seven-time Grand Slam winner in doubles quickly took a 5:2 lead, but the world number 65 Bronzetti managed the rebreak and the 5:5 equalizer.
Tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber: “The festival atmosphere was impressive”.
After 1:36 hours, Siniakova then benefited from a forehand error by the right-hander from Rimini on her fourth match point. For double Olympic champion Siniakova it was the fourth WTA singles title after her successes in Portoroz (2022), Shenzhen and Bastad (both 2017).
The third edition of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers also offered exciting and eventful days. Not only the top players and Grand Slam winners around world number one Iga Swiatek and Bianca Andreescu raved about the unique ambience in the Kurpark. In addition to the numerous sporting highlights, the emotional moments and special moments of this tennis summer festival at a historic site will be remembered. The Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court was completely sold out on six of the seven days.
Tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber was also impressed: “I am very proud of what the team has achieved again this year. Everyone put so much heart and soul into the Bad Homburg Open, and you could feel that every day. Our goal was to create a feel-good atmosphere on site for everyone – with Wimbledon flair, boutique character and lots of emotions,” said the three-time Grand Slam winner, adding, “The festival atmosphere in the audience area was something very special and really impressive!”
The extended supporting program for visitors of all ages in the Baloise Park Village, which was once again freely accessible, was very well received.
TWO WINS IN ONE DAY: “MARATHON WOMAN” SINIAKOVA REACHES FOR THE TITLE AGAIN IN THE KURPARK – FINAL AGAINST BRONZETTI ON SATURDAY
Katerina Siniakova is in the final of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers, as she was in 2021, and is just one win away from her first grass court title. The Czech, who has already won seven Grand Slam tournaments in doubles, celebrated two successes within five hours on Friday on the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court, which was once again sold out with 3,500 spectators.
“Now I’m really tired – and very tired. I played really well today, I couldn’t have expected it like this,” said Siniakova, who lost the final to tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber two years ago. The world No. 52 has long since taken the historic Kurpark into her heart: “I love it here,” Siniakova emphasized: “Centre Court and the whole atmosphere are great.”
Before her 6-2, 6-2 semifinal win over Emma Navarro (USA) in the evening match, Siniakova had won the quarterfinal duel with second seed Liudmila Samsonova. After the match had to be abandoned after the second set on Thursday evening due to darkness, the 27-year-old dominated the continuation on Friday, triumphing 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 after a total of 2:36 hours.
French Open champion Swiatek has to retire with stomach bug
Lucia Bronzetti had already been determined as the first finalist in the morning. The Italian from Rimini benefited from the withdrawal of world number one Iga Swiatek due to illness. “I’m really sorry, but I had a restless night with fever, it’s a possible food poisoning or infection. I am not able to play today. I hope to see you again next year,” said the four-time Grand Slam winner.
The newly-crowned French Open winner Swiatek, who had repeatedly praised the Wimbledon flair and the atmosphere in the Kurpark in recent days, thanked the organizers, saying, “It was an honor to play in Bad Homburg. The support was incredible.”
Bronzetti, currently number 65 in the WTA rankings, had only won the clay court tournament in Rabat in April and, like double Olympic champion Siniakova, could land her first really big grass-court coup on Saturday (1.30 p.m./live on hr).
The finals in the overview – Saturday, 01 July 2023:
Singles (13.30/live on hr): Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) – Lucia Bronzetti (Italy)
Doubles (following): Lidziya Marozava/Ingrid Gamarra Martins (Brazil) – Eri Hozumi/ Monica Niculescu (Japan/Romania)
More information about the draw, player portraits and key data about the tournament can be found here.
IGA SWIATEK HAS TO WITHDRAW DUE TO A FEVERISH GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTION – LUCIA BRONZETTI FIRST FINALIST OF THE BAD HOMBURG OPEN PRESENTED BY ENGEL & VÖLKERS
Lucia Bronzetti has been confirmed as the first finalist of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers. The Italian benefited on Friday from the withdrawal of world number one Iga Swiatek due to illness. “I’m really sorry, but I had a restless night with fever, it’s a possible food poisoning or infection. I am not able to play today. I hope to see you again next year,” said the four-time Grand Slam winner.
The newly-crowned French Open winner Swiatek, who had repeatedly praised the Wimbledon flair and the atmosphere in the Kurpark in recent days, thanked the organizers, saying, “It was an honor to play in Bad Homburg. The support was incredible.”
Navarro still waiting for her semifinal opponent – Samsonova or Siniakova
In Saturday’s final (1:30 p.m./live on hr), Bronzetti, who won the WTA tournament in Rabat in April, will face either Emma Navarro (USA) or the winner between second seed Liudmila Samsonova and Katerina Siniakova.
The quarterfinal match between Samsonova and former Bad Homburg Open finalist Siniakova had been postponed until Friday on Thursday night due to darkness at 1-1 sets. That match will resume today at 2:30 p.m. on the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court. The semifinals between Navarro and Samsonova/Siniakova are then scheduled for 6:30 pm.
IGA SWIATEK NEEDS JUST TWO MORE WINS FOR PERFECT WIMBLEDON DRESS REHEARSAL – SEMI-FINALS AGAINST BRONZETTI ON FRIDAY
Iga Swiatek is getting better and better on her Road to Wimbledon: the four-time Grand Slam winner defeated world No. 39 Anna Blinkova 6-3, 6-2 in 73 minutes in the quarterfinals of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers and is just two wins away from her first grass-court title. “That was a solid performance from me. I’m very happy that I can use the time between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. This time here in Bad Homburg is really helping me. I’m getting more confident and hopefully that will help me in the next two weeks,” Swiatek said, looking ahead to next Monday’s grass-court classic at Church Road.
The world number one will face Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti in the semifinals (2:30 p.m.) in Bad Homburg’s Kurpark on Friday. The hr television will broadcast this match live – co-commentator is tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber.
In the second preliminary round match (not before 6:30 p.m.), Emma Navarro (USA) will play either second seed Liudmila Samsonova or former Bad Homburg finalist Katerina Siniakova from the Czech Republic. The duel between the two had to be postponed until Friday on Thursday evening when the score was 1-1 due to darkness.
Crowd favorite Swiatek again showed a commanding performance in front of 3500 spectators on the once again sold-out Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court. “My serve worked well and I was able to use the momentum in both sets,” said the Pole, who managed a break against Lisicki defeater Blinkova at 2:2 in both the first and second set. Swiatek had won the 2018 junior women’s Wimbledon tournament, but is still waiting for her first grass-court title on the tour.
Rebeka Masarova, who has been so spirited in the spa town so far, was unlucky: the Basel-born Spaniard twisted her left knee after winning the first set (7:6) and at 1-1 in the second set against Navarro and had to retire after a short break for treatment. “Of course you don’t want to win like that, I feel sorry for Rebeka. I hope she will be fit again quickly,” emphasized the world number 60 Navarro.
In strong form these days presents the next Swiatek opponent Bronzetti. The number 65 in the WTA rankings eliminated the new Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva with 6:4, 6:3. Bronzetti had won her second WTA title in Rabat in May.
The matches in overview – Friday, June 30:
Continued quarterfinals (1 p.m.): Liudmila Samsonova (No. 2) – Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) 4:6, 7:5 1. Semifinals (2:30 p.m./live on hr): Iga Swiatek (Poland/No. 1) – Lucia Bronzetti (Italy).
2nd semifinal (not before 6.30 p.m./live on Eurosport and in hr stream): winner Liudmila Samsonova/Katerina Siniakova – Emma Navarro (USA)
SWIATEK FEELS MORE AND MORE COMFORTABLE ON GRASS AND IS IN THE QUARTERFINALS – FORMER KURPARK FINALIST SINIAKOVA ALSO SUCESSFULL
Iga Swiatek threw a kissing hand into the audience and was celebrated by the tennis fans on the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court, which was once again sold out with 3500 spectators. “I really enjoy the support here. It’s a great place – and today was a good day. I had the match under control and I’m really happy to be further along,” the world number one emphasized after her 6:3, 6:1 in the round of 16 of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers against qualifier Jil Teichmann from Switzerland.
Swiatek made history in the time-honored Kurpark, as it is her first ever quarterfinal appearance on grass. The four-time Grand Slam winner is also pleased with the special premiere in view of the Wimbledon tournament starting next week: “It’s getting easier and easier for me to adapt my clay court style to the conditions on grass every year. I’m pretty positive about my future on this surface,” said the newly-crowned French Open champion.
Whether she was now on her way to becoming a grass court specialist, Swiatek was asked at the press conference in the smart Kaiser Wilhelms Bad. The 22-year-old smiled and then said, “There’s still a long way to go…!”
“1GA” Swiatek now against Blinkova – Siniakova challenges Samsonova
Against Teichmann, Swiatek faced three break points in her very first service game, but the industry leader kept her cool. With a spectacular tweener, she in turn took the service from the Swiss at 3:2 and became more and more dominant in the following. After 78 minutes, the favorite converted her first match point.
In the quarterfinals on Thursday (not before 4:30 p.m.), Swiatek will face ninth-seeded Anna Blinkova, who knocked out former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez on Wednesday (7-5, 6-2). Liudmila Samsonova, seeded second, and Katerina Siniakova will then face each other. The Czech, who beat Evgeniya Rodina 6-2, 6-4 in the round of 16, seems to be in good hands in Bad Homburg: two years ago, Siniakova only lost in the final to tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber.
The quarterfinals in the overview – Thursday, June 29 (from 12:00):
Varvara Gracheva (France/No. 8) – Lucia Bronzetti (Italy).
Rebeka Masarova (Spain) – Emma Navarro (USA)
Not before 4.30 p.m.: Iga Swiatek (Poland/No. 1) – Anna Blinkova (No. 9)
Not before 18.00: Liudmila Samsonova (No. 2) – Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic)
SUCCESSFUL PREMIERE FOR FRENCH OPEN WINNER SWIATEK – MARIA SHOWS GREAT MORALE
World number one Iga Swiatek celebrated a successful debut at the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers: The Pole defeated the German number one Tatjana Maria 5:7, 6:2, 6:0 on the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court, which was sold out with 3500 spectators, and is through to the round of 16.
After 1:50 hours, Swiatek converted her first match point with a winner. “I’m quite happy with my performance, but can still improve. I’m just happy to have reached the next round,” said the four-time Grand Slam winner, who has been in the spa town for a week. On her personal Road to Wimbledon, Swiatek’s only stop will be in Bad Homburg.
Swiatek is celebrated on the sold-out Centre Court – “It was great”.
Maria, who just a day earlier had narrowly lost the final of the WTA tournament in Gaiba, Italy, had arrived in the spa town just six hours before the match – by plane from Bologna. But the travel stresses were not at all apparent to last year’s Wimbledon semifinalist at the start. In the first set, she did not let herself be shocked by an early loss of serve and won the set with the second break.
The favorite then adapted better and better to Maria’s slice backhand and dominated the match. Swiatek was loudly cheered by the Polish fans in the stands. “It was great that so many compatriots of mine were there,” emphasized “1GA,” who has been at the top of the world rankings for more than a year. In the round of the last 16, the 22-year-old will face Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann on Wednesday.
Wildcard holder Anna-Lena Friedsam also put up a good fight, but then lost to Egypt’s fourth seed Mayar Sherif 6-4, 4-6, 5-7 after 2:16 hours. “She came here with tournament wins behind her, and unfortunately I came here with the flu. That made a bit of a difference because I didn’t have that much time to prepare in terms of training days and training effort,” said Friedsam, the current German number two.
Sherif, ranked No. 31 in the world, 56 places higher than Friedsam, recently won the clay court events in Valencia and Makarska. The Rhineland-Palatinate native is nevertheless optimistic about the Wimbledon tournament starting next week. “I can play very dangerously on grass and hurt a lot of opponents,” Friedsam said, “because I can master this forward game.”
Last year’s finalist Bianca Andreescu also put in an energetic performance. The Canadian 2019 US Open winner converted her fourth match point to beat British wildcard Sonay Kartal 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 after 2:26 hours and will now face Rebeka Masarova of Spain in a duel to advance to the quarterfinals.
Lena Papadakis (Berlin), who was a lucky loser in the main draw, lost 6-0, 6-1 to Canadian Leylah Fernandez, a 2021 US Open finalist. Katerina Siniakova, the Czech who only lost to tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber in the final of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers in 2021, caused a surprise,
EMOTIONAL FAREWELL FOR “PETKO” ON SOLD-OUT CENTRE COURT – LISICKI MISSES THE ROUND OF 16
In the end, Andrea Petkovic’s emotions finally broke: touched and grateful, she waved to the crowd after her farewell match in front of her home crowd. The 3,500 spectators on the sold-out Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court had long since risen to their feet and gave a prolonged ovation. A standing ovation for a popular figure, a head of character – and a very special personality.
“I’m still one of the fittest tennis grannies in the world”.
Tears flowed for “Petko,” who officially ended her professional career last September. A little later, however, the 35-year-old had regained her composure: “The tennis world is spinning insanely fast. I didn’t expect it to be so full. It was insanely nice,” said the former world number nine after the “Petko & Friends powered by FERI” exhibition, in the second part of which she competed in doubles with Angelique Kerber against Anna-Lena Friedsam and women’s team captain Rainer Schüttler. First, Petkovic had won a match tiebreak against Friedsam.
For Wimbledon champion and Bad Homburg Open tournament ambassador Kerber, it was her first major appearance on court since the birth of her daughter in February. “I was absolutely delighted when Angie came in. I knew she was going all out to be here on the court,” said Petkovic, who once again had the laughs on her side at the subsequent press conference. “I’m still one of the fittest tennis grannies in the world!” No argument there!
Last but not least, Kerber found touching words for her long-time companion: “I could always count on Petko!” In the direction of her former teammate, “Angie” added: “I take my hat off to your achievements. We will miss you, I especially.”
Lisicki is struggling with “pitch-black day” – Ten aces not enough for victory
Tennis fans also witnessed plenty of emotion afterwards when former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki lost 6-3, 1-6, 5-7 to ninth-seeded Anna Blinkova despite leading 4-1 in the deciding set. “I just had a really bad day today and never really got into it. It’s such a shame because I like this tournament so much,” said the wildcard holder, who reached the quarterfinals at Kurpark last year. Lisicki managed ten aces, but Blinkova kept her nerve after 1:54 hours and converted her first match point.
On Monday, the German number one and two will be in action at the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers: Last year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria, who narrowly missed out on the title at the WTA event in Gaiba, Italy, on Sunday (6:3, 4:6; 5:7 against Ashlyn Krueger), will play the newly-crowned French Open winner and world number one Iga Swiatek in the “Match of the Day” at 6:00 pm. Already in the second match after 12.00 p.m. Anna-Lena Friedsam will face the Egyptian Mayar Sherif, who is ranked fourth in the spa town.
Further information on the draw, player portraits and key data on the tournament can be found here.
IGA SWIATEK IS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE WIMBLEDON FLAIR: “A SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE”
Iga Swiatek stood on the balcony of the time-honored clubhouse of TC Bad Homburg and let her gaze roam over the Kurpark and the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court. And the newly-crowned French Open winner liked what she saw. “There is a special atmosphere here and you can feel the Wimbledon flair. The grass courts are really very nice,” enthused Swiatek, who is extremely relaxed and
The world number one has been in the spa town since last Tuesday and has been practicing twice a day. She will play her opening match at the third edition of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers on Monday (June 26) at 6 p.m. against last year’s Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria. There are still a few tickets available.
Iga Swiatek about…
…the special feature of the location in Bad Homburg’s Kurpark:
“There is a special atmosphere here and the Wimbledon flair can be felt. I walked from the hotel through the Kurpark to the venue. Everything is close together. There are nice restaurants and coffee shops. I try to find an oasis of peace at every tournament. Here you just have a lot of nature. The grass courts are really beautiful.”
…Tournament ambassador Angelique Kerber, who watched a bit of the French Open winner’s practice yesterday:
“Oh really? I’m going to ask her for some advice. Angie might have more time to talk a little bit now. She’s very friendly and open.”
…On whether the number one position is more of a burden or an impetus:
“Both. You have ups and downs in your career. But that’s also true for people in other professions. But winning gives me a lot of confidence and a feeling that I’m achieving my goals.“
…the biggest challenge on grass:
“When you’re successful at Roland Garros, you have less time to train for Wimbledon. I hope I can play several matches in Bad Homburg.”
…Her pastimes:
“When the tournament has started, I read a lot of books and sometimes watch TV. Since I had two training sessions here every day, there wasn’t much time for sightseeing. But maybe I’ll have a little more free time during the tournament.”
A pure summer festival atmosphere prevailed in the Kurpark right from the start of the tournament: in the freely accessible Baloise Park Village, young and old alike enjoyed the varied activities on Saturday. In the early evening, the promenade was officially opened by Dr. Jürg Schiltknecht, Chairman of the Board of Baloise, as well as Bad Homburg’s Lord Mayor Alexander Hetjes and Tournament Director Aljoscha Thron.
The Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker then provided a brilliant concert on the show stage and thrilled the large audience with hits such as “Leave a light on”.
“We will see perfect matches with a perfect atmosphere in perfect weather,” said Dr. Jürg Schiltknecht, looking forward to the tournament week, which will continue after the qualifying matches with the first main draw matches today, Sunday.
On Saturday, Mara Guth (6:7, 6:7 against Claire Liu) and Lena Papadakis (6:7, 6:3, 3:6 against Maryna Zanevska) missed the jump into the main draw on her 20th birthday. Last year’s Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria, Anna-Lena Friedsam and Sabine Lisicki are three German players in the main draw of the grass-court event. Maria will face top-seeded Swiatek in the match of the day at 6 p.m. Monday.
TOP MATCH RIGHT AT THE START ON MONDAY: WORLD NUMBER ONE IGA SWIATEK MEETS TATJANA MARIA
For the newly-crowned French Open winner Iga Swiatek, her title mission at the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers (June 24 to July 01) begins with a special challenge. The four-time Grand Slam winner will face last year’s Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria in her opening match on Monday (6 p.m.).
This was the result of the draw early Friday evening at the FERI AG headquarters, with ex-professional Andrea Petkovic acting as Lady Luck. “Tatjana against Iga, that could also be a final encounter,” Petkovic said of the promising duel on the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court, for which tickets are still available.
Iga Swiatek, who has been at the top of the world rankings for more than a year, has been preparing for her only grass-court tournament before Wimbledon under perfect conditions in Bad Homburg since Tuesday. The Pole has never played against Tatjana Maria before.
Wildcard holder Sabine Lisicki, a 2013 Wimbledon finalist and world record holder on grass, will face world No. 39 Lin Zhu of China in her first-round match. German number two Anna-Lena Friedsam benefited from the injury-related cancellation of Jule Niemeier, who cannot compete in the Kurpark due to a wrist blister. German number two Friedsam moved straight into the main draw thanks to a wildcard and will challenge Egypt’s Mayar Sherif.
Tomorrow, Saturday (June 24), local hero Mara Guth also has the chance to become the fourth German player to advance to the 32-player main draw by winning the qualifying round.
At the draw ceremony, which was moderated by Matthias Stach and attended by Marcel Renné, CEO FERI AG, Bad Homburg’s mayor Alexander Hetjes and tournament director Aljoscha Thron, the mood shortly before the start of the tournament was one of exuberance and anticipation for the third edition of the Bad Homburg Open presented by Engel & Völkers.
The draw in the overview can be found here.
Tom Walker concert on Saturday and exciting theme days in Baloise Park Village.
The lawn event on the picturesque grounds of TC Bad Homburg also promises plenty of Wimbledon flair off the courts and first-class entertainment with summer cinema, live music and public viewing.
The official opening ceremony of the Baloise Park Village will take place on the event stage at the Kaiser-Wilhelms-Bad on Saturday (June 24) from 6 p.m. onwards. The highlight will be a brilliant concert by Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker. His best-known song “Leave a light on” has 222 million views on YouTube to date – the event is free of charge.
An overview of the theme days: Kids Day (June 26/Monday), Charity Day (June 27/Tuesday), Clubs Day powered by newkee (June 28/Wednesday) and Afterwork Day powered by Baloise (June 29/Thursday).
Further detailed information such as player portraits, match schedules and key dates of the tournament etc. can be found on our homepage.