What an evening for Ella Seidel – and what a match in the Porsche Arena. In the second all-German first-round duel at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, the 20-year-old from the Porsche Talent Team defeated fellow German Tatjana Maria, the 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist, in a highly dramatic contest lasting two hours 51 minutes (3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4). It was her first ever appearance on Centre Court – and another milestone in her still young career. Seidel has thus progressed to the last 16 of a WTA 500 tournament for the second time.
After converting her first match point, she fist-pumped and was visibly relieved. The German’s big smile said it all. ‟I was super nervous at the start but then it was cool to play in front of so many people,” said the world No. 124. ‟I’m over the moon at the moment.”
Earlier Iga Swiatek, Friend of the Brand Porsche in Poland, underlined her title ambitions at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix with an impressive performance. In the evening session’s first encounter, the world No. 2 and Stuttgart winner in 2022 and 2023 cruised past the qualifier Jana Fett 6-2, 6-2. The five-time Grand Slam champion dominated proceedings with her powerful ground strokes and gave the Croatian few opportunities to play her own game. She only needed one hour 16 minutes to close out her first clay court victory of the season. ‟I gave myself a bit of time to get into the match and then I found my rhythm,” said the 23-year-old. ‟It was a good match, I’m happy.” If she should win another title, she would not only improve upon her fantastic record in Stuttgart, but also take the winner’s car – a Porsche Macan Turbo – back home with
The first match of the day on Centre Court was a family affair for Mirra und Erika Andreeva. The sister versus sister contest however ended prematurely as Erika, a lucky loser, was forced to retire with a knee injury when 6-2, 1-0 down. Mirra Andreeva, who this year has claimed the titles at the WTA 1000 tournaments in Dubai and Indian Wells, dominated the first set and was visibly emotional after the match had come to an abrupt end. ‟We room together so I knew what was happening,” she said. ‟I’m happy to have won the match but at the same time sad she had to retire.” The on-court interview finished with a special moment as the 17-year-old animated the crowd to sing ‟Happy Birthday” for her coach Conchita Martínez. The former Wimbledon champion is celebrating her 53rd birthday today, Wednesday.
Next up on Centre Court, Magdalena Frech overcame the 37-year-old Lucky Loser Sara Errani from Italy in a hard-fought three-setter. In the day’s closing match, Elise Mertens beat the No. 8 seed Diana Shnaider 6-2, 7-6(5). Playing excellent tennis, the Belgian took advantage of her experience in the decisive moments and reached the quarterfinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix for the first time.
Two Germans and three top stars on Thursday
The first match of the tournament’s sixth day will involve Mirra Andreeva against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16. Following on, Jule Niemeier will then be up against the No. 5 seed Italian Jasmine Paolini. Jessica Pegula’s maiden appearance at the long-standing tournament in Stuttgart is scheduled for 5.00 pm. The world No. 3 from America will face Poland’s Magdalena Frech.
The schedule will continue – not before 6.30 – with Coco Gauff’s last 16 match. The 21-year-old 2023 US Open champion and winner of the 2024 WTA Finals will play Ella Seidel from the Porsche Talent Team. The young American has travelled to Stuttgart as the world No. 4 and counts as one of this year’s title contenders. To finish the day’s play, Emma Navarro – the world No. 11 for USA – will go head-to-head with the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.
Wednesday’s results
Centre Court
1st & 2nd round – singles
[6] Mirra Andreeva vs [LL] Erika Andreeva 6-2, 1-0 RET.
Magdalena Frech (POL) vs [LL] Sara Errani (ITA) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5)
[2] Iga Swiatek (POL) vs [Q] Jana Fett (CRO) 6-2, 6-2
[LL] Ella Seidel (GER) vs [WC] Tatjana Maria (GER) 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-4
Elise Mertens (BEL) vs [8] Diana Shnaider 6-2, 7-6(5)
Court 1
1st & 2nd round – doubles
Ekaterina Alexandrova/Shuai Zhang (CHN) vs Miyu Kato (JPN)/Aldila Sutjiadi (INA) 6-3, 6-2
Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA)/Liudmila Samsonova vs Desirae Krawczyk (USA)/Jessica Pegula (USA) 6-0, 6-7(3), 10-3
Timea Babos (HUN)/Luisa Stefani (BRA) vs Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)/Dayana Yastremska (UKR) 7-6(1), 5-7, 11-9
Alexandra Panova/Fanny Stollar (HUN) vs Nadiia Kichenok (UKR)/Yifan Xu (CHN) 4-6, 6-1, 10-5
[4] Asia Muhammad (USA)/Demi Schuurs (NED) vs Ulrikke Eikeri (NOR)/Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-3, 6-1
Thursday’s schedule
Centre Court
From 12.30 pm
[6] Mirra Andreeva vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
[WC] Jule Niemeier (GER) vs [5] Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Not before 5.00 pm
Magdalena Frech (POL) vs [3] Jessica Pegula (USA)
Not before 6.30 pm
[4] Coco Gauff (USA) vs Ella Seidel (GER)
[7] Emma Navarro (USA) vs Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
Court 1
From 1.00 pm
[1] Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN)/ Erin Routliffe (NZL) vs Alexandra Panova/Fanny Stollar (HUN)
Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA)/Liudmila Samsonova vs [4] Asia Muhammad (USA)/Demi Schuurs (NED)
Ekaterina Alexandrova/Shuai Zhang (CHN) vs [2] Sara Errani (ITA)/Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
Porsche in Tennis
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is the flagship of Porsche’s worldwide involvement in women’s tennis. First played in Filderstadt in 1978, the long-standing Stuttgart tournament has been held in the city’s Porsche Arena since 2006. It stands for tradition and innovation, as does the Porsche brand. As the most loyal sponsor of women’s international tennis, Porsche has accompanied the WTA’s oldest indoor event right from the start. Porsche has also been supporting women’s tennis internationally for years. Iga Swiatek, Eva Lys and Maria Sakkari are ‟Friends of the Brand” in their home countries. Porsche has been a premium partner of the ‟Deutsche Tennis Bund” (DTB – German Tennis Association) since 2012 and is committed to fostering up-and-coming players in the Porsche Talent Team and the Porsche Junior Team.
