Novak Djokovic had every right to take a deep breath at the end of a match which had taken a lot of energy out of him. He had to work hard to defeat Belgium’s Olivier Rochus in a high-quality match, winning 7-6 (9-7), 6-4. ‘Nole’ has therefore reached the final on his debut in Halle. (photo: pmk)

Benjamin Becker of the Grün-Weiβ Mannheim Tennis Club and Rainer Schüttler of TK Kurhaus Aachen have often trained together, but playing against each other in a competition was a novelty. In the first duel between the two friends, Becker emerged triumphant with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win. (Photo: pmk)

It was his first match on the Centre Court of the GERRY WEBER STADIUM. And Novak Djokovic needed some time to adjust on the grass. Having done so, he defeated Simone Bolleli 7:5,6:2. (photo: pmk)

The first day’s schedule at the GERRY WEBER OPEN in Halle had 16 matches on the bill in the first qualification round and eight for the second round. (photo: pmk)

Nine Germans are already in the main field of the 17th GERRY WEBER OPEN, but there are several more bidding to join them and they will be entering the qualification rounds this weekend. (photo: pmk)