The weather took a drastic turn at the Rothenbaum during the quarterfinals of the “Bitpanda Hamburg Open,” with heavy rain, a drop in temperature, and even hail forcing tennis fans to bundle up in blankets, hats, and gloves. The situation prompted head umpire Roland Hertel to close the stadium roof for the matches.
Despite the challenging conditions, Andrey Rublev, currently ranked 17 in the world, displayed remarkable resilience by defeating Italian player Luciano Darderi, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Rublev noted, “The ball is heavier, and the sand is wetter. I’m fine with that,” adding that he was accustomed to the unpredictable weather in Germany. He had entered the tournament battling a cold but was feeling better, stating that he finally felt some energy returning.
Rublev’s return to form is notable, especially after a period of decline in the rankings. With this semifinal appearance, he expressed his joy, saying, “I’m happy to be back in the semis. I missed these matches and victories, and they give me a lot of confidence.” Winning in Hamburg would provide him with 500 ranking points, a significant boost ahead of the upcoming French Open.
The match against Darderi was intense, particularly after an unfortunate incident where a ball boy accidentally hit Darderi during his serve, causing a brief moment of shock and laughter as the player recovered.
Rublev’s next opponent will be Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who advanced by defeating Alexandre Muller after a grueling match. Auger-Aliassime has been working on getting his form back, having recently secured his first clay court victory of the season.
In doubles, however, all German pairs have been eliminated. The duo of Justin Engel and Max Rehberg were defeated by the top-seeded team, while Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz had to withdraw due to injury.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Flavio Cobolli are also notable players to watch. Etcheverry is passionate about clay courts and has never broken a racket throughout his career, while Cobolli is an emerging Italian star, continuing to impress on the ATP Tour. Each athlete has their own unique story and passion for the sport that adds to the excitement of the tournament.
The atmosphere at the Rothenbaum continues to resonate with both challenges and triumphs, showcasing the resilience of the players and the dedication of fans.