Altmaier Wins Battle of Young Stars against Karimov for Bangkok Challenger 2 Maindraw
German teenage prodigy Daniel Altmaier won the battle of the young bloods against his friend Jurabek Karimov of Uzbekistan to book his maindraw spot in the US$50,000 Bangkok Open Challenger 2 at Rama Gardens Hotel on Monday.
Altmaier despite blowing a 4-1 lead in the decisive set and four match points at 5-4 recollected his concentration to beat the 2016 junior Australian Open finalist 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-2) in the final qualifying round of the two teenagers.
“I played really well at the end of the third set,” said the 18-year-old who reaches his career’s best at No 378 this week.
“Although I was leading in the third set, he played so aggressive and got back into the match. I expected a tough match from him as he is one of my good friends,” added Altmaier who will play Taiwanese Lee Kuan-Yi in the all qualifier showdown on Tuesday.
Jurabek Karimov
Indian N Srinam Balaji also advanced to the maidraw by defeating Fajing Sun of China 6-4 3-6 6-4. Taiwanese veteran Jimmy Wang booked the last maindraw spot by beating South Korean Hong Seong-chan 2-6 6-4 6-4.
In the maindraw first round actions, three German players advanced to round two. Nils Langer upset fourth seed Zdenek Kolar of the Czech Republic 6-0 5-7 6-3. Yannick Maden easily picked off South Korean rising star Soon Woo Kwon 6-1 6-1 and Kevin Krawietz toppled Albano Olivetti of France 6-3 7-5,
Sixth seed Yannick Mertens of Belgium ousted National Youth Games gold medalist Patcharapol Kawin 6-2 6-3 while seventh seed Axel Michon of France outclassed Werapath Sirijatiyaporn 6-1 6-1. Shuichi Sekiguchi of Japan routed out local wildcard Phassawit Burapharitta 6-1 6-4.
