German outsiders pull the crowds on opening day

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The German supporters will on their own to win at the smart Major Hamburg. Photocredit: Mike Ranz

We were busy tapping away in the wake of the press conference in the media center when we heard it.

And then the noise grew louder.

Something, somewhere was happening.

We went out, had a look around let our ears follow the cheers.

Court three was packed to rafters and the clapping and whooping outweighed the groans of disappointment.

German duo, and 30th seeds, Lorenz Schümann and Julius Thole were doing their thing and whipping the crowd up into a frenzy. After winning the first set 21-18 they survived a set-point against Turkish opponents Murat Giginoglu and Volkan Gögtepe in a second thrilling set but edged to a popular victory in a breathtaking period of play 25-23.

The German underdogs sunk to their knees at the end and thanked the support. It’s that vocal backing that really makes a difference. Especially when you’re coming up against a third-seeded Turkish team.

And we weren’t the only interested party, either. The match was so thrilling that it pulled in many an interested spectator – even Brazilian star Alison Cerutti could not take his eyes of this thriller.

Alison Cerutti could not take his eyes off the qualification action. Photocredit: Swatch Major Series

Schümann and Thole’s prize for victory? A mouth-watering clash against fellow Germans Tim Holler and David Poniewaz.

German hopes in the qualification’s first round were also given a boost when Lisa Arnholdt/Anni Schumacher made it through to the women’s second qualification phase, but the same could not be said of Sandra Ittlinger/Yanina Weiland who lost to Czech pair Kristyna Kolocova/Michala Kvapilová.

Don’t forget to keep up-to-date with everything on our live results page!