BAD RAPPENAU, June 3, 2025
With sunshine overhead and a record crowd of 1,200 spectators at the Tennis Club Bad Rappenau, the NECKARCUP 2.0 truly came to life on Tuesday. A packed schedule of 13 singles matches included several promising German youngsters in action.
One of the day’s standout performances came from 17-year-old Berlin native Diego Dedura, who made the most of his wildcard. He defeated fellow German and qualifier Henri Squire 7-5, 7-5. Dedura, who made headlines in April at the BMW Open in Munich as the first player born in 2008 to win a match at an ATP Tour event, impressed fans on the Hörtkorn Center Court with his fighting spirit and flashy shot-making.
Dedura broke Squire’s serve five times and sealed the win after one hour and 34 minutes with a spectacular lob.
Strong NECKARCUP debut!
Diego Dedura reaches the second round following a 7-5,7-5 win over Henri Squire.#ATPChallenger #NECKARCUP #BadRappenau @ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/0cLNcc98Kz
— NECKARCUP 2.0 (@NeckarH) June 3, 2025
“I was a bit nervous today,” the teenager admitted after the match. “I know Henri well—we played several tournaments together last year. I’m really happy I could win my debut here. It was a good match for me, and I’ll try to go as far as I can.”
Next up for Dedura is US-American Emilio Nava, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Russian Marat Sharipov.
Meanwhile, it was a tough day for Justin Engel. The 17-year-old from Nuremberg lost 3–6, 3–6 to experienced Argentine Facundo Mena. Engel, who has already won five titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour this year, struggled to find his rhythm. Mena fired eight aces, saved all four break points he faced, and broke Engel’s serve three times. After one hour and 18 minutes, the 32-year-old veteran left the court as the deserved winner.
The top seeds also suffered early exits. Luca Nardi, the No. 1 seed at the NECKARCUP 2025, lost a hard-fought battle to Spain’s Daniel Rincón 6-3, 3-6-3, 6-3 after more than two hours. Rincón will now face Mena in the next round.
What an ending to Day 3️⃣!
Daniel Rincon knocks out top seed Luca Nardi 6-3 3-6 6-3.#ATPChallenger #NECKARCUP #BadRappenau pic.twitter.com/qwtkpnN2hm
— NECKARCUP 2.0 (@NeckarH) June 3, 2025
Earlier in the day, Denis Yevseyev from Kazakhstan pulled off a major upset by defeating former world No. 10 and No. 2 seed Pablo Carreño Busta of Spain 7–5, 7–5. Yevseyev will now take on 21-year-old Peruvian Ignacio Buse.
In the final match of the day, Elmer Møller of Denmark fell to Dutchman Guy den Ouden, who secured a 7-6(5), 7-5 victory in just over two hours.
Results – Tuesday, 03 June 2025
Singles – Round of 32
Dominic Stricker (SUI) d [Q] Alexey Vatutin 63 75
Denis Yevseyev (KAZ) d [2] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 75 75
[WC] Diego Dedura (GER) d [Q] Henri Squire (GER) 75 75
Facundo Mena (ARG) d [WC] Justin Engel (GER) 63 63
Daniel Rincon (ESP) d [1] Luca Nardi (ITA) 63 36 63
[4] Valentin Royer (FRA) d [Q] Max Wiskandt (GER) 76(5) 57 64
[6] Francesco Passaro (ITA) d [Q] Florian Broska (GER) 67(4) 76(2) 61
[5] Emilio Nava (USA) d Marat Sharipov 63 63
Viktor Durasovic (NOR) d Max Houkes (NED) 62 64
Ignacio Buse (PER) d Timofey Skatov (KAZ) 61 76(4)
[Q] Marko Topo (GER) d [8] Andrea Pellegrino (ITA) 63 60
Gauthier Onclin (BEL) d [LL] Francesco Maestrelli (ITA) 36 64 76(6)
Guy Den Ouden (NED) d [3] Elmer Moller (DEN) 76(5) 75
Doubles – Round of 16
[WC] Tim Handel (GER)/Lasse Poertner (GER) d Sumit Nagal (IND)/Marco Trungelliti (ARG) 75 64
