Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann came to Roland Garros with his protégé Maximilian Marterer. In an interview with tennisnet, the team boss assesses the chances of the German players.
By Jens Huiber from Paris
tennisnet: Mr. Kohlmann. The draw for the French Open 2018 has been open since Thursday evening, and it has to be said that Philipp Kohlschreiber has drawn a bitter draw with Borna Coric?
Michael Kohlmann: Rafael Nadal would have been a bitter luck. But for a seeded player, Borna Coric is certainly one of the most difficult draws you can get. Philipp lost against him in Marrakech last year’s final very, very close, after a missed match point. It’s gonna be a game at eye level. Philipp could certainly have gotten a better draw against players who don’t like the clay court game very much. Nevertheless, I believe that Kohli’s good results over the last few weeks have given him enough self-confidence to overcome this high hurdle.
tennisnet: Alexander Zverev has already had much more luck with Ricardas Berankis.
Kohlmann: Berankis is certainly a good draw, especially since, if I’m well informed, he hasn’t played in a tournament in the last six weeks. If you look at the last six weeks of Sascha, on the other hand, the results speak for him very clearly.
tennisnet: Brother Mischa has been drawn by Florian Mayer. Do you see an advantage here?
Kohlmann: I think Mischa is already the favourite in this match. Best-of-Five is another house number, and Mischa is extremely fit. With Flo, I don’t know how he manages with three winning sets on his farewell tour. This will also depend on the weather. Basically, it’s a balanced game in which I would easily favour Mischa.
tennisnet: Peter Gojowczyk starts against Cameron Norrie, who played well in the Davis Cup.
Kohlmann: That’s right. That’s when Norrie Roberto hit Bautista-Agut. Is a young left-handed man who found his strength in college in the USA. Another one who went this way among the professionals. Good player, very solid. Has no great weakness now, but neither does a real weapon. I think Peter’s gonna close.
tennisnet: You were in Lyon with Maximilian Marterer. It was drawn by Ryan Harrison, a man with an amazingly short fuse.
Kohlmann: Exactly. And also one who likes to get rid of something in the direction of his opponents. He’s a powder keg, but he’s also a good player who can handle ashes. Harrison is one of those Americans who not only achieve good results on hard court. And won double here with Michael Venus in 2017. It will be a balanced match. It will be important for Maxi to play offensively and keep Harrison busy.
tennisnet: Jan-Lennard Struff finally plays against Evgeny Donskoy.
Kohlmann: Donskoy is always uncomfortable because he can play quickly and uncompromisingly. Just like Jan-Lennard. But it’s still a good draw for Jan, because he serves better and Donskoy can’t hurt him with his fast strokes from the baseline. Jan is still a bit faster.
tennisnet: A word perhaps to Rudi Molleker, who won his first ATP Challenger tournament last weekend in Heilbronn and will compete here in Roland Garros in the junior competition.
Kohlmann: A great thing that he managed that so quickly, especially in Heilbronn, which is really one of the best Challengers on the tour. Because it’s being used as preparation for Paris. I hope that Rudi will soon be able to take the next steps and play himself near the Grand Slams, because he already has this strength.
Here is an overview of the first round matches of the German men:
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