Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier are unstoppable at the grass classic in Wimbledon. For the first time in their career they are in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam. Now there is a German duel.
Tatjana Maria enjoyed her next goosebump coup with her eyes closed, Jule Niemeier threw her bat on the floor in disbelief. The two German tennis surprises continued their sensational runs in Wimbledon and are now meeting in the quarter-finals.
With a great energy performance, the mother of two at the age of 34 defeated number twelve seeded Jelena Ostapenko 5:7, 7:5, 7:5. Less than 30 minutes later, the 22-year-old Niemeier celebrated her sovereign 6: 2, 6: 4 on Center Court against the British local hero Heather Watson in front of legends like Björn Borg. Maria and Niemeier collect the equivalent of 360,000 euros each for their round of 16 successes and are in the top eight in a Grand Slam for the first time.
Overall, Niemeier had not earned that much in her career so far. “I’m sorry that I had to throw a Brit out today,” said the Dortmunder apologetically with a Wimbledon towel over her shoulders. “I’m super proud of myself.”
You don’t really know Niemeier yet, reported Maria. Both played together at the Bredeney tennis club in Essen this year in the Bundesliga. “I’ve never really seen them play, though,” Maria said.
In the second set against Ostapenko, she fended off two match points from her opponent and after 2:07 hours got the greatest success of her career. Only 15 months after the birth of her second daughter Cecilia, she is better than ever at a Grand Slam tournament on her 35th attempt. “It makes me so proud to be a mother. It’s the best thing in the world,” she said in her acceptance speech. “I love my two children.”
Entry into the elite «Last 8 Club»
The success also got Maria and Niemeier into Wimbledon’s elite “Last 8 Club”. All of the individual quarter-finalists are in it and receive, among other things, lifetime tickets for the most prestigious tournament in the world. “Wow wow wow”, the German women’s boss Barbara Rittner cheered the German quarter-finals and attested Maria “another tactical and combative masterpiece”.
Before the game, numerous former champions such as Roger Federer, Stefan Edberg, Chris Evert and Angelique Kerber were on the pitch at the 100-year celebration of Center Court. “I didn’t want to watch the show because I was pretty nervous,” she admitted. Niemeier is now missing only three victories for an absolute sensation.
After a balanced initial phase, the Dortmund player won one of the most spectacular points of the entire tournament. After a successful backhand from running back after a lob, Dortmund threw both arms up, the point to 2:2 also inspired legends like Billie Jean King and Björn Borg in the honorary stand.
With her strong serve, fast forehand and variable game, the world number 97 dominated. the happening. With a fine forehand stop, she secured the first set after just 27 minutes. The second round was tighter, but Niemeier always kept his cool and used the third match point.
The decisive passage became a test of nerves
Maria had a lot more trouble. The former French Open winner Ostapenko did not get along with the unorthodox style of play of the Germans at the beginning. Maria stayed in the points for a long time with high running intensity, played the balls with an unpleasant backspin. Slowly, however, the 25-year-old Ostapenko gained confidence and also the first set.
“I know it’s a tough opponent, she plays the balls very, very quickly,” Maria analyzed her opponent before the game. When the score was 4:5 in the second set, she fended off her opponent’s two match balls with nerves of steel. Ostapenko, who often has problems with consistency, got out of step. With a loud scream, Maria celebrated the break to 6: 5, her husband and trainer Charles-Edouard cheered in the stands with both fists – a little later she made the win of the second set perfect with zero.
The decisive passage became a test of nerves. Ostapenko started better again, but vacillated between the extremes. Maria came back again. With a score of 5: 4 and a break before, she served to win the match, Ostapenko equalized and tapped his forehead. Maria made the break again – and was finally allowed to cheer.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
