BAD RAPPENAU, June 5, 2025
It was a demanding day for umpires, ball kids, and line judges on the fifth day of the Neckarcup 2.0 in Bad Rappenau. After multiple matches were either suspended or not even started due to inclement weather the day before, Thursday’s packed schedule included no fewer than eleven matches to be completed.
One of the most dramatic encounters saw defending champion Sumit Nagal take on Mexican rising star Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez. After a grueling two hours and 45 minutes, it was clear: the upset streak in Bad Rappenau continues. Pacheco Mendez defeated Nagal 7–5, 6–7, 6–0, ending the Indian’s hopes of a title defense earlier than expected.
Rodrigo powers through #ATPChallenger | @NeckarH pic.twitter.com/35ndSSbchz
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 5, 2025
Drama also unfolded in the match between German qualifier Marko Topo and Swiss youngster Dominic Stricker. Stricker edged the first set 7–5, and the second was again a tight battle that went to a tiebreak. But at 3–3 in the breaker, Stricker collapsed to the ground and didn’t move. The medical team rushed to the court, treating the visibly distressed Swiss player. He was helped off and took a medical timeout. Though he attempted a brief comeback, he lost the tiebreak 4–7 and ultimately retired at 0–30 in the opening game of the deciding set.
Tournament physician Dr. Philipp Menzel later offered a cautious all-clear: Stricker had suffered a blockage in his sacroiliac joint. After receiving an injection and completing a 30-minute jog, the Swiss player was reportedly back on his feet.
“It’s a tough situation when your opponent gets injured,” said Topo after the match. “I just tried to stay focused and not lose my rhythm.” His reward: a spot in the quarterfinals and the highest ATP ranking of his career.
In a quick-fire Benelux battle, Dutchman Guy Den Ouden raced into the quarterfinals. He stormed to a 4–0 lead in the first set and gave Belgium’s Gauthier Onclin little chance, sealing a 6–3, 6–2 victory in just 64 minutes. Things were much tighter in the match between Argentina’s Facundo Mena and Spain’s Daniel Rincon, with Mena narrowly coming out on top 7–5, 7–6.
Mena’s countryman Marco Trungelliti resumed his match against fourth seed Valentin Royer, which had been suspended the day before with the score at 6–1, 4–6. Trungelliti managed to clinch the third set 6–4 to secure his place in the next round.
In doubles action, top-seeded Germans Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner moved on with a 6–4, 7–6 win over Romania’s Alexandru Jecan and Bogdan Pavel. Italian-Russian duo Francesco Passaro and Marat Sharipov advanced as well, defeating France’s Jonathan Eysseric and Poland’s Szymon Walkow 6–3, 6–4. The Italian-Colombian team of Marco Bortolotti and Cristian Rodriguez joined them in the next round with an identical 6–3, 6–4 win over Venezuela’s Luis David Martinez and Argentina’s Facundo Mena.#
Results – Thursday, 05 June 2025
Men’s Singles – Round of 16
Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez (MEX) d [7] Sumit Nagal (IND) 75 67(2) 60
Marco Trungelliti (ARG) d [4] Valentin Royer (FRA) 61 46 64
Guy Den Ouden (NED) d Gauthier Onclin (BEL) 63 62
[5] Emilio Nava (USA) d [WC] Diego Dedura (GER) 64 64
Facundo Mena (ARG) d Daniel Rincon (ESP) 75 76(0)
[Q] Marko Topo (GER) d Dominic Stricker (SUI) 67(5) 76(4) Retired
Men’s Doubles – Round of 16
[4] Robin Haase (NED)/Marcelo Zormann (BRA) d Ivan Liutarevich/Petros Tsitsipas (GRE) 61 64
[3] Vasil Kirkov (USA)/Bart Stevens (NED) d [WC] Mats Rosenkranz (GER)/Tim Ruehl (GER) 63 63
[1] Jakob Schnaitter (GER)/Mark Wallner (GER) d Alexandru Jecan (ROU)/Bogdan Pavel (ROU) 64 76(4)
Marco Bortolotti (ITA)/Cristian Rodriguez (COL) d Luis David Martinez (VEN)/Facundo Mena (ARG) 63 64
Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinal
Francesco Passaro (ITA)/Marat Sharipov d Jonathan Eysseric (FRA)/Szymon Walkow (POL) 63 64
