OBERHACHING, February 10, 2026
The first main-draw matches in singles and doubles at the TennisBase Open 2026 in Oberhaching were played on Tuesday, and fans were treated to several hard-fought encounters. Among those booking their place in the round of 16 were junior Grand Slam champion Niels McDonald from Schwerin and Hamburg’s Marvin Moeller, who lifted the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 title here in 2022. Both players had to dig deep, coming through their matches in three sets.
A thrilling, high-quality battle unfolded on Show Court 1 between McDonald and Wales’ James Story. The Brit made the stronger start with his solid, consistent game, while the German teenager struggled early with a high error count. After quickly falling behind 0–4, the 18-year-old found his rhythm on serve and managed to get on the scoreboard twice, but he could not prevent losing the opening set.
As the match went on, McDonald also raised his level on return and began to apply more pressure in his opponent’s service games. An early break gave him a 3–0 lead in the second set, and the French Open junior champion held firm on serve to level the match. In the decider, fifth seed Story threw everything into the contest and kept it tight for a long time. In the closing stages, however, McDonald showed impressive composure, secured the decisive break at 4–4, and served out a 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 victory after just over two hours.
“I started the match a bit too nervously and didn’t feel comfortable at first,” McDonald said afterwards. “After that slow start, I tried to play myself into it towards the end of the first set so I could raise my level. I stayed calm, and the early break in the second set gave me a huge boost. I was able to carry that momentum into the third set and in the end reward myself with the win.”
The teenager also praised the electronic line-calling system by PlayReplay, which is being used alongside the digital streaming and scoring service from Kitris. “I train in Sweden, where this system comes from, and we use it on all courts there. It gives you a lot of confidence when you can check an important close call. I think it’s really cool that it’s being used here at ITF M15 level—it adds even more value to an already very well-organized tournament.”
Dullinger pushes former champion Moeller
Marvin Moeller, champion in Oberhaching in 2022 and last year’s finalist, faced a tough opening test against Vincent Dullinger of TC Großhesselohe. The 18-year-old played with great confidence from the start and kept the match evenly balanced. At 4–4, however, the 27-year-old Moeller stepped up on his opponent’s serve to claim the decisive break. The tournament’s No. 3 seed then held serve and sealed the first set with an ace.
Wildcard Dullinger stayed brave in his play and broke Moeller early in the second set. With solid service games, the player from Holzkirchen carried that advantage through to the end of the set and levelled the match. In the deciding set, Moeller relied on his vast experience, took an early break, and stayed in control. At 5–2 he remained on the front foot, earned his first match point with a spectacular backhand passing shot, and converted it for a 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 win after two hours and 13 minutes.
Kelm falls after winning the first set, Barsukov exits in straight sets
Two other German players missed out on a place in the round of 16. In an all-qualifiers clash, 20-year-old Yannik Kelm from Burgoberbach faced his peer Yaroslav Demin. After dominating the opening set, Kelm saw his opponent steadily improve, take control with clean ball-striking, and eventually claim a 1–6, 6–2, 6–3 victory after 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Nineteen-year-old Nikolai Barsukov struggled with the start of both sets against Italy’s Filippo Romano. Although he raised his level as each set progressed, he could not prevent a 4–6, 4–6 defeat after 95 minutes.
Singles Results – First Round
Marvin Möller (GER) d. Vincent Dullinger (GER) 6–4, 3–6, 6–2
Yannik Kelm (GER) d. by Yaroslav Demin 6–1, 2–6, 3–6
Niels McDonald (GER) d. James Story (GBR) 2–6, 6–3, 6–4
Nikolai Barsukov (GER) d. by Filippo Romano (ITA) 4–6, 4–6
Mae Malige (FRA) d. Flynn Thomas (SUI) 6–2, 6–0
Stefano Napolitano (ITA) d. Pepijn Bastiaansen (NED) 6–4, 6–1
Lorenzo Lorusso (ITA) d. Gian Gruenig (SUI) 1–6, 7–6(2), 6–4
