ATP Rotterdam: Krawietz/Pütz in the quarterfinals

The German tennis duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz beat the leaders of the doubles world ranking Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski at the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Rotterdam.

In their second tournament together, the German tennis doubles proved their strength, taking a 4:3 lead in the seventh game of the first set.

The Franconian-Hessian doubles team then fended off three break points from their opponents to extend their lead to 5:3. Krawietz and Pütz won the first set point after 35 minutes due to a double fault by Koolhof. In the second set, too, Koolhof/Skupski had to fend off two break points already in the second game on the Dutchman's serve to stay in the race at 1:1. After exactly 25 minutes Krawietz and Pütz reached the break after Koolhof weakened again and gave away his serve to 2:4. After one hour and twelve minutes Krawietz/Pütz converted the third match point and sent the title favorites home.

The elimination of Koolhof and Skupski was not the only surprise in the tournament in Rotterdam. The world number two also lost right at the start: Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic lost to Stan Wawrinka and Alexander Bublik 6:3, 6:7 and 7:10.

In the quarterfinals, the doubles team of Krawietz/Pütz awaits the doubles team of Nicolas Mahut and Grigor Dimitrov, who already eliminated Krawietz's ex-doubles partner Andreas Mies and his Australian partner John Peers in round one. The match will take place on Feb. 16 at 3pm.