PUNE: Daniel Altmaier knows what confidence can do to a tennis player’s game.
The 23-year-old German won three ATP Challenger titles last year to break into the top-100 in world rankings. But even before that, the Kampen native showed glimpses of his potential when, entering as a qualifier, he beat then No. 8 Matteo Berrettini to record a top-10 win in his maiden French Open main draw appearance in 2020.
“When I was playing Berrettini, I had already won five matches. I had a lot of confidence and wanted to stay in the rhythm,” Altmaier, now ranked 85, told TOI in an exclusive chat on Wednesday.
“I didn’t really worry who was on the other side. I think that mindset allowed me to win that match. Once you gain confidence, you are more focussing on yourself and putting on a great performance. You make less mistakes, you move quicker, you serve better. It becomes difficult for the opponent to beat you.”
Altmaier put that confidence on display when he came back from a set down to beat Moldova’s Radu Albot 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to move into the quarterfinals of the Tata Open Maharashtra on Wednesday.
Among the Indian players, the hot pairing of Ramkumar Ramanathan and Rohan Bopanna kicked off their campaign with a 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 win over the American combo of James Cerretani and Nicholas Monroe in the first round on Wednesday.
Saketh Myneni and Sasikumar Mukund, who got in as alternates following the withdrawal of Dennis Novak and Radu Albot, defeated compatriots Yuki Bhambri and Divij Sharan, wildcard entrants, 6-3, 6-4.
In another clash of all-Indian pairings, Vishnu Vardhan and Sriram Balaji ousted another wildcards Arjun Kadhe and Purav Raja 6-1, 6-4.
The 23-year-old German won three ATP Challenger titles last year to break into the top-100 in world rankings. But even before that, the Kampen native showed glimpses of his potential when, entering as a qualifier, he beat then No. 8 Matteo Berrettini to record a top-10 win in his maiden French Open main draw appearance in 2020.
“When I was playing Berrettini, I had already won five matches. I had a lot of confidence and wanted to stay in the rhythm,” Altmaier, now ranked 85, told TOI in an exclusive chat on Wednesday.
“I didn’t really worry who was on the other side. I think that mindset allowed me to win that match. Once you gain confidence, you are more focussing on yourself and putting on a great performance. You make less mistakes, you move quicker, you serve better. It becomes difficult for the opponent to beat you.”
Altmaier put that confidence on display when he came back from a set down to beat Moldova’s Radu Albot 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to move into the quarterfinals of the Tata Open Maharashtra on Wednesday.
Among the Indian players, the hot pairing of Ramkumar Ramanathan and Rohan Bopanna kicked off their campaign with a 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 win over the American combo of James Cerretani and Nicholas Monroe in the first round on Wednesday.
Saketh Myneni and Sasikumar Mukund, who got in as alternates following the withdrawal of Dennis Novak and Radu Albot, defeated compatriots Yuki Bhambri and Divij Sharan, wildcard entrants, 6-3, 6-4.
In another clash of all-Indian pairings, Vishnu Vardhan and Sriram Balaji ousted another wildcards Arjun Kadhe and Purav Raja 6-1, 6-4.