She is one of the WTA Tour's breakout stars of 2026! Oleksandra Oliynykova was not among the world's top 100 tennis players last autumn, and shortly before her debut in Hamburg, she even broke into the top 50. Now, she is the top seed for the first time at a WTA tournament in the Hanseatic city and is competing today with seven other players for a place in the quarter-finals.
She tries not to let her status as top favourite get to her too much: „I've tried not to think about it. Every time I play, I try not to think about results, winning or losing, or my ranking.“
The match began with a stern test from Nastasja Schunk of Mainz, but she ultimately won 7-5 in the third set. “It was incredibly difficult, especially after missing a match point at 5-4. I'm happy I managed to get through it in the end. I always tried to keep playing,„ said Oliynykova, who felt very comfortable in the Hanseatic city from the very first moment. “It's really great. I'm pleased to see so many Ukrainians here. The people are super nice. Yesterday during training and today during the match, I saw so many Ukrainian flags. It feels good to receive so much support." She should also receive this today against the Spanish left-handed player Leyre Romero Gormaz.
It's hard to imagine two players being more contrary than Yulia Putintseva and Elina Avanesyan of Armenia. On one side, the emotional and very passionate Kazakh Putintseva, and on the other, the introverted Armenian. With her, her powerful game and outstanding athleticism speak for themselves. Putintseva has won both of their previous matches, but now they face each other for the first time on Avanesyan's preferred clay court.
With three victories, the 23-year-old has played her way from qualifying to the round of 16 and gained plenty of self-confidence. Now her first WTA quarter-final since March 2025 in Merida beckons. Afterwards, she fell ill with glandular fever – now the former world number 36 is back to full strength!
Today's round of 16 matches on Center Court at Rothenbaum gets underway at 11 am with Mayar Sherif from Egypt and France's Elsa Jacquemot. Both players are known for their sophisticated play and tactical flexibility. Sherif also demonstrated her considerable physical prowess yesterday, Wednesday, winning one of the longest matches in recent tournament history against Simona Waltert (Switzerland) after 3 hours and 17 minutes. Following her tournament victory in Iasi, Sherif's newfound confidence is clearly evident. What might now be possible in Hamburg?
Paula Badosa, who flew from Romania to Hamburg with Sherif on Monday, needed just one match on her debut at the Alster to earn the status of a crowd favourite. Despite two intense tournament weeks in a row, with a tournament victory in Bastad and a final appearance in Iași, Romania, she gave her all on the Elbe to maintain her momentum despite the strain and prevailed against Katarzyna Kawa. In the second set, she did not let up after a 1-3 deficit and ultimately won 7-5 and 6-4. The relief was clearly noticeable for the Australian Open semi-finalist. There is not much time to recover, as the Spaniard faces not only a clay-court specialist in Hungarian Panna Udvardy, but also a very strong opponent, whose life motto somehow also fits well with Hamburg: „After every storm comes the sun.“
Match Of the Day
Age: 28
Born in: New York, USA
World ranking position: 93
Greatest success: Win of the Masters tournament in Indian Wells (2021)
Age: 27
Born in: Balatonboglár, Hungary
World ranking position: 72
Greatest success: Finalist at the WTA 250 tournament in Bogotá (2026)
The field is set! The first matches were determined at the draw for the Hamburg Wheelchair Open on Wednesday afternoon. Our tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic, along with sponsors, held the reins and decided the players' luck of the draw.
Special thanks go to LOTTO Hamburg and AIRBUS, who support the Hamburg Wheelchair Open.
Germany's number one, Britta Wend, ranked 19th in the world, will face Lucy Shuker from Great Britain in her first match today. Katharina Krüger will be playing against Jinte Bos from the Netherlands. It all kicks off today at 10:30 am on Match Court 1 (M1). Here's to a great debut!
That was a spectacular rollercoaster ride! Tamara Korpatsch once again showed her absolute best form in front of her home crowd and has reached the quarter-finals at Rothenbaum for the second time, after 2024. The 31-year-old won the all-German round of 16 match against Julia Stusek from Rheinfelden after just over two hours with a score of 6-0, 3-6, and 6-3. In the process, she and the tennis fans on Centre Court experienced a rollercoaster of emotions.
„The first set was outstanding, I probably played my best tennis there. In the second set Julia played significantly better and I made a few more errors. It wasn’t easy, especially because she moved so well. She really has quick feet. Playing a quarter-final at home is fantastic. I don’t have as much pressure playing here and can really enjoy it,“ said Korpatsch, who will face the second-seeded Anhelina Kalinina from Ukraine in the quarter-finals on Friday. Then the whole of Hamburg will be behind you again, Tami!
As the official nutrition partner of the tournament, EDEKA takes care of the well-being of all players, visitors and employees.
The EDEKA Match Kitchen in the Public Village also offers delicious baked goods from the Allwörden bakery, fruit, and selected cold drinks.
Ladies, take note: to mark today’s EDEKA Ladies’ Day, all women can save 10% on everything! If you fancy an exclusive Strawberry Iced Matcha Latte, you really must pop in. There are also exclusive prize draws waiting for you at Centre Court!
Julia Stusek (a close three-set defeat against Tamara Korpatsch), Tessa Brockmann (lost to Elsa Jacquemot) and Noma Noha Akugue (against Anna Bondar) didn't quite make it. The trio had to admit defeat on Wednesday at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open.
However, the tournament will be particularly unforgettable for Julia Stusek. On Monday, she celebrated her very first WTA Tour victory against Nadia Podoroska. Noma Noha Akugue not only served for the match against Anna Bondar, but was also just two points away from victory. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old narrowly lost to last year's finalist Anna Bondar 1:6, 7:5 and 5:7. All the best on your future journeys, and of course, until next year!
At the Hamburg Ladies Open 2026, Mercedes-Benz is capturing attention not only with its vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz Signature Court, a circular tennis court designed for a match between three players, takes the sport of tennis to a new level – perfect for tacticians who dare to take on a fast-paced game. Debuting in Berlin, this innovation is now also celebrating its premiere here at the Rothenbaum.
Anyone who wants to know more can compete against tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic. She visits there daily for a match.
You are the three Ms from the roof and have been creating the best atmosphere at Rothenbaum together for decades: Madde, Matthias, and Mike.
With a wealth of experience, a consistently good mood, and a keen sense for the right moment, they manage to create the perfect atmosphere in the Center Court year after year. Whether welcoming the players, making announcements in the Public Village, or conducting on-court interviews – the stadium entertainment team has everything under control!
While Matthias Brockmann ensures that the matches are perfectly prepared and all information is available, Matthias Killing loudly brings it all to the stadium and to the visitors. That the two have been a well-rehearsed team for many years is also evident from a brief look into the past: one of the two photos was taken in 2006, the other only a few days ago. Apparently, not much has changed over all these years.
This moment brought wide-eyed wonder: As part of the Asklepios taster training, tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic taught young sports fans the ABCs of tennis. Special guests Mayar Sherif (Egypt) and Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic and Nika Radisic supported the initiative – meaning there was a wealth of expertise on the court for the next generation.
Before the unit, Asklepios Co-CEO Joachim Gemmel also recognised „DUMUSSTKÄMPFEN!“, an initiative for children with cancer, with a donation cheque. This was gratefully accepted by co-founder „Petko“.
Tamara Korpatsch, Noma Noha Akugue, Nastasja Schunk and Julia Stusek are flying the German flag today in the doubles competition, which continues on Court M2. The „Hamburg duo“ Korpatsch/Noha Akugue will play Zhibek Kulambayeva (Kazakhstan)/Darja Semenistaja (Latvia) in the third match after 12 noon for a place in the quarter-finals. Nastasja Schunk and Julia Stusek will compete against the Spanish duo Leyre Romero Gormaz and Sara Sorribes Tormo.
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Up to and including Friday, all tennis fans can follow the matches on outer courts M1 and M2 free of charge.
Ground tickets are available at the box office. We look forward to seeing you at the Rothenbaum!
The MSC Hamburg Ladies Open will be broadcast in Germany on Sky.
Do you have nothing planned for Sunday? Then head to Hamburger Rothenbaum! Before the singles final (12 noon), Martina Hingis and Andrea Petkovic will face each other in a show match.
Tickets for the final day are also valid for the show match and can be purchased from the online ticket shop. Children and young people up to the age of 16 have free entry on the final day.
Would you like to learn more about the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open and Hamburg Wheelchair Open, and expand your knowledge about the top stars and rising hopes? Then grab a free copy at the Info Point! Clicking the button will also take you to the online version of our programme booklet.
