Korpatsch rallies with dog Stella's help to reach Hamburg second round

When tennis pro Tamara Korpatsch (31) serves on the center court at Hamburg's Rothenbaum, drama is guaranteed. A year ago, the German No. 1 lost in the round of 16 of the "MSC Hamburg Ladies Open" (prize money: €247,674) to eventual winner Lois Boisson (23/France), shaken by cramps. Both players could barely run after 2 hours and 15 minutes. Now, tears flowed again in the first-round match against Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva (20) from Andorra—but this time from the opponent.

Match Summary

The local favorite trailed 4-6, 1-3 but turned the second set around to win 7-5. In the third set, Kasintseva retired with Korpatsch leading 1-0. Already at the end of the second set, she had taken a medical timeout and received treatment on her left calf.

"I didn't even look at what she had; I just focused on myself," Korpatsch said. "I didn't even know what her problem was. I met her later in the locker room, and she really had cramps. She couldn't get up, and I helped her a bit and got the physio."

The 'Wow Effect' – Stella the Dog

Before her first home match, Korpatsch was extremely nervous. "I didn't play my best tennis and wasn't very brave either." To calm down, she relied on the wow effect—her sweet dog Stella. Mom Birgit took the seven-month-old mixed breed into the box on center court. There, the furball lay quietly and calmly under a seat.

"She only stays so calm and lies there because she can't see me," says Korpatsch lovingly. "If she saw me running around without her and not paying attention to her, she would be loud. She wants to play along and be the center of attention."

During Kasintseva's injury break, Korpatsch risked a secret glance toward Stella: "My mom pushed her behind her legs so she could have a bit of shade. Because it got really extremely hot. Then I knew, okay, she's fine. I was relieved."

Next Round

In the second round on Wednesday, in the third match of the day, Korpatsch will face a German duel with wildcard player Julia Stusek (18/Rheinfelden). Animal drama is guaranteed.

Noma Noha Akugue at an All-Time High

Noma Noha Akugue (22) also advanced. The second player from the Club an der Alster defeated Valentina Steiner (20/Remseck) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. By reaching the second round, she climbs to at least world No. 136—her highest ranking.

"At the beginning of the year, we set the goal of qualifying for the Grand Slams. And it worked well, with three tournament wins in the first half of the year. And I hope I can build on that and continue," Noha Akugue said.

In the second round, she faces a feared opponent in Hungary's Anna Bondar (29/No. 97). Against the 2024 Hamburg winner, Noha Akugue has lost both encounters.

Eliminated Players

Alongside Jule Niemeier (26), Mona Barthel (36/Bad Segeberg) was eliminated. The player from Bad Segeberg lost 2-6, 6-7 to Yulia Putintseva (31/Kazakhstan).