The Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse has won the Hamburg European Open for women. In an exciting final, the 23-year-old defeated Hamburg's tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic 7:6 (8:6), 6:4 to win the first title of her career on the WTA Tour. But the week at the Rothenbaum was also a great success for Petkovic, as the 33-year-old from Darmstadt had finally reached a final on the WTA Tour for the first time since 2015. Around 1000 spectators celebrated the two finalists with minutes of applause after the 2:12-hour match.
For Ruse, this tournament victory could be the breakthrough in her career. A week ago, she arrived in the Hanseatic city as number 154 in the world and started in qualifying. Seven wins later, she will be ranked 133 as of Monday. "I'm incredibly happy about this title," she said at the award ceremony with tears in her eyes, "I've felt very, very comfortable here on the course from day one."
The loser also had to fight back tears and a faltering voice. But not out of disappointment, but also out of joy and emotion. "Thank you to my team, you've had to go through a lot with me in the last few months," said Petkovic, who hadn't actually reached a final since her success in Antwerp in 2015. "Hamburg really is the most beautiful city in the world," she added happily: "I will always carry this week in my heart as a very special memory."
For the first time since 2002, the women were also able to compete for prize money and world ranking points at the traditional course in the Harvestehude district. This was made possible by tournament director Sandra Reichel and her father Peter Michael Reichel. "It's been very emotional for all of us over the last few days," said Sandra Reichel, thanking the sponsors, Alexander Otto, who provided crucial support for the stadium renovation a year ago, and the City of Hamburg. "As a sporting city, Hamburg remains ambitious when it comes to women's tennis at the Rothenbaum," promised Hamburg's State Councillor for Sport, Christoph Holstein. If that's not a good outlook after the successful premiere...