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Sofia Kenin
Photo:
Rick Rycroft / AP
The Australian Open continues for women without German tennis professionals.
As the last German to retire on Thursday, Mona Barthel.
The 30-year-old from Neumünster lost her second round game in Melbourne against the number 25 seeded Czech Karolina Muchova 4-6, 1-6.
Previously, Angelique Kerber, Laura Siegemund and Andrea Petkovic failed in the first round of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season.
Only Alexander Zverev is there for the men.
The 23-year-old will face French Adrian Mannarino in the third round on Friday.
Barthel, who fell back to number 127 in the world rankings after many injuries, was largely without a chance against Muchova.
After 1:13 hours, the Czech turned her second match ball.
After all, there were German successes in doubles.
Laura Siegemund won her first-round game against the two Australians Kimberly Birrell and Jaimee Fourlis with 6: 2, 6: 1 alongside the Russian Vera Swonarewa.
Last year, the German-Russian duo surprisingly won the US Open in New York.
Kevin Krawietz and Yannick Hanfmann moved into the second round in the men's category.
The German duo defeated Divij Sharan from India and the Slovak Igor Zelenay 6: 1, 6: 4.
Hanfmann had replaced the injured Andreas Mies at short notice, who had won the French Open together with Krawietz in 2019 and 2020.
In the individual, the Australian Open for women will continue without German participation.
Nevertheless, Barthel did not want to see black for the future.
“We still have a lot of good players.
At the next tournament it can look completely different, «said the North German.
It is not an easy time for everyone because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The training conditions weren't easy either.
In Schleswig-Holstein, for example, I waited four or five weeks for a special permit, ”reported the 30-year-old.
Sofia Kenin loses to Kaia Kanepi
Barthel held up well against Muchova in the first set.
Even a loss of service to 2: 3 did not disturb the calm and promptly managed the re-break.
But because she then gave up her serve again, the favored Czech got the first round after 42 minutes with the fifth set ball.
In the second set, the former Fed Cup player had no chance.
Barthel gave up her serve three times and now had little to oppose the Czech's powerful game.
“It was still a great tournament for me after a long time.
I think I can take a lot out of this tournament, ”said Barthel.
Things look very different with Sofia Kenin.
The defending champion from the USA lost against the in top form Kaia Kanepi from Estonia with 3: 6, 2: 6.
The world number one Ashleigh Barty, however, moved into the third round.
The Australian defeated her compatriot Daria Gavrilova 6: 1, 7: 6 (9: 7), but even had to fend off two set balls in the second round.
Because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Barty did not travel last year and therefore did not play a match for about a year.
"It still feels a little rusty, but I'm happy to be in the third round," Barty said.
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ara / dpa