“I’m glad to be in Halle. I feel good on grass and because of the weather it’s got this `California-Feeling´”, a clearly very satisfied Steve Johnson (USA) stated, after defeating the title-holder of 2011, Philipp Kohlschreiber, in only 68 minutes 6:3, 6:3 at the NOVENTI OPEN in the first round.
With Davis Cup team manager Michael Kohlmann looking on, Philipp Kohlschreiber won his first serve, but the 35-year-old didn’t really find his rhythm in the first set. Steve Johnson on the other hand, served well, put on pressure with his baseline-shots and in the end the US-American only had to wait for his opponents’ mistakes. And Philipp Kohlschreiber made many mistakes. That’s why the German Davis Cup player also lost his second serve. And because Steve Johnson served solidly, didn’t allow a break, the first round was over in just 28 minutes. 6:3 for the US-American.
What applied for Philipp Kohlschreiber now was to make less mistakes. But this aim didn’t work out. In the opening serve of the second set Steve Johnson got the next break. And the story went the same as in the first set. Steve Johnson served dominantly – in the end his score was 13 aces. Philipp Kohlschreiber didn’t even get in the reach of a break point, let alone a break. After 68 minutes the game was over for the German. 6:3, 6:3 was the earned score for Steve Johnson.
