AUGSBURG/STARNBERG, August 19, 2025
The Schwaben Open by Great2Stay delivered high drama on “Super Tuesday” as four German players headlined the action in Augsburg. Fans were treated to a packed day featuring the final opening-round singles matches of the €54,000 ATP Challenger 50 event. Victories for Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, Henri Squire, second seed Christoph Negritu, and qualifier Benito Sanchez Martinez ensured strong home representation in the round of 16, joining young prospects Diego Dedura and Max Schoenhaus.
Negritu edges Marterer in all-German duel
The day’s centerpiece was an all-German clash between Stuttgart’s Christoph Negritu and Franconian left-hander Maximilian Marterer. Negritu struck first with an early break and controlled the opening set 6–3. Marterer, a former World No. 45 and Davis Cup regular, found his range in the second set, breaking for a 5–3 lead before finally leveling the match on serve. In the decider, Negritu rediscovered his rhythm, breaking twice with his versatile shotmaking to seal a hard-fought 6–3, 4–6, 6–2 win after nearly two hours.
Battle won in Augsburg ⚔️
No.2 seed Christoph Negritu defeats compatriot Marterer in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to secure a round two spot!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/EDKPJ0mYbr
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 19, 2025
“I knew this was going to be tough,” Negritu admitted afterwards. “I’ve known Maxi since our junior days, and of course he was already among the top 50 in the world. That makes this win even more special—especially here in Augsburg, where I played my very first Challenger main draw two years ago.”
Negritu next faces Serbian qualifier Stefan Popovic, who dispatched Germany’s Nino Ehrenschneider in straight sets.
Stebe wins rollercoaster over Poljicak
German veteran Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, once ranked inside the top 100, reminded fans of his talent with a remarkable three-set victory over Croatian youngster Mili Poljicak, the 2022 Wimbledon junior champion. Stebe dominated the opener 6–1, only to see Poljicak storm back with a flawless 6–0 second set. In the decider, however, the 34-year-old’s tactical nous and consistency proved decisive as he closed out a bizarre but commanding 6–1, 0–6, 6–0 triumph.
“I started really well, but in the second set he changed tactics and played very aggressively,” Stebe reflected. “I tried to reset mentally for the third set, and luckily it worked out perfectly.”
Sanchez Martinez stuns Masur in Berlin derby
Another German derby saw Benito Sanchez Martinez upset Davis Cup player Daniel Masur in straight sets. The two Berlin-based teammates, who recently celebrated promotion with SCC Berlin to the Tennis Channel Bundesliga, knew each other’s games inside out, and their clash featured plenty of breaks. Sanchez Martinez, a left-hander and former Mississippi State University standout, held firm in the key moments to claim a 6–3, 7–5 victory in just under 100 minutes.
“We both returned really well, so holding serve was tough all day,” Sanchez Martinez explained. “It was a very close match that could have gone either way, but I’m happy I managed to take my chances.”
Squire battles past Torres
Closing out the German successes was Henri Squire, who rallied to beat Argentine clay-court specialist Juan Bautista Torres. After dropping serve early and trailing 0–3, Squire fought back to snatch the opening set 7–5. The second set was just as tense, with Torres breaking back to force a tiebreak, but the Düsseldorf native held his nerve, finishing with an ace and a service winner to complete a 7–5, 7–6 (4) victory in one hour 49 minutes.
“I didn’t feel particularly good today and wasn’t playing my best tennis,” Squire admitted. “I arrived late from Belgium, so I was still adjusting to the conditions. But I fought through it and found a way to win.”
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