The final round in Malaga is already over for the German tennis ladies. Laura Siegemund, in particular, had a pitch-black day.
The German tennis ladies were knocked out in the round of 16 at the Billie Jean King Cup. Rainer Schüttler’s team lost 0-2 to Great Britain in Malaga, thus missing out on an upset.
The defeat was already certain after the two singles. First, Jule Niemeier lost the opening game against Emma Raducanu 4-6, 4-6. Then Laura Siegemund had no chance at all in the top duel against Katie Boulter, losing 1-6, 2-6. The doubles match was therefore no longer contested. Another disappointment has ended a weak year overall for German women’s tennis.
Niemeier cannot take chances
Niemeier held her own against Raducanu well. However, the 25-year-old from Dortmund was unable to take her chances in the first set. After the 2021 US Open champion managed to break to make it 4-3, Niemeier had five break points of her own immediately afterwards, but was unable to convert them. Raducanu took the first set after 49 minutes.
The Brit also managed an early break in the second set. Niemeier then took her opponent’s serve, but immediately lost her own service again. Raducanu was able to secure the victory after 1 hour and 55 minutes with her sixth match point. “She simply served better than me in the tight and important moments,” said Niemeier.
The pressure was therefore on Siegemund. But the 36-year-old Swabian had no chance at all against Boulter. Siegemund managed a quick break, but after that the world number 24 dominated the game as she pleased. Siegemund had major difficulties with her service and did not manage a single service in the first set. In total, the German number one made 29 minor errors – far too many to have any chance of winning.