As feared, the ATP tennis tournament in Munich began with a long rain break. The opening program of the BMW Open only started three and a half hours late in the morning.
Partly drizzle and sometimes heavy rain fell on the clay court in the north of the Bavarian capital. The meteorologists have forecast rainy weather and temperatures in the single digits for the entire tournament week.
Former US Open winner Dominik Thiem from Austria suffered a first-round defeat 4:6, 4:6 against Spanish qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas. The 30-year-old Thiem is desperately looking for form after a long-term wrist injury and experienced the next disappointment in Munich.
Molleker ensures German success
The opening match had previously been won by number six seeded Briton Jack Draper 6:1, 5:7, 6:4 against Vit Kopriva from the Czech Republic. Max Rehberg from Mannheim lost to Alex Michelsen from the USA 6:7 (2:7), 3:6. Rudi Molleker from Oranienburg finally ensured a German success on the first day with a 6:4, 6:2 against the Italian Francesco Passaro.
The tournament favorites around top seed Alexander Zverev will only take part in the clay court event later in the week. In addition to the Hamburger, Holger Rune is number two and is one of the main contenders for the title. The Dane had won the BMW Open in the past two years.
