The opening match at the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic in Vermont was an all-German affair: Max Marterer, currently ranked a career-high #45, took on Yannick Hanfmann, currently ranked #135. While the atmosphere was laid back, the competition was serious. Although they both possess penetrating two-handed backhands, the twenty-three-year-old Marterer is a lefty. 

This 8-player exhibition tournament played on Deco Turf, is one of the final tune-ups prior to the US Open. Each match consists of two sets and should they split sets, a ten-point super tie-breaker will decide the match and the $5000 purse. 

Hanfmann, who is twenty-six years of age, was an All-American at USC. Unfortunately, he opened the match with a double fault and was immediately broken. Marterer was also broken in his first service game though they remained on serve thru the fifth game.

Following an amazing rally which included well-struck groundstrokes, drop shots and a tweener, Hanfmann was broken for the second time when his forehand found the net. Marterer consolidated the break with an ace and a well-placed volley. 

Hanfmann, serving to stay in the set at 3-5, committed four consecutive unforced errors and was broken to lose the first set 6-3.

Marterer served first in the second set and continued to uncoil and rip his first serve. Both players continued to play aggressively and employed a wide variety of shots much to the delight of the crowd. Neither player was hesitant when approaching the net and this made for an extremely dramatic and entertaining match.

They remained on serve thru the fourth game but Hanfmann committed three consecutive unforced errors to go down triple break point. Incredibly, he executed three exquisite drop shot winners and with another huge serve, saved four break points and held for 2-2.

A slew of unforced errors found Marterer’s racquet and after managing to save five break points, relinquished the sixth. They would trade breaks again as Hanfmann was unable to hold serve following several unforced errors and a brilliant cross-court forehand winner from Marterer.

Level at four games apiece, Marterer held to take the lead and was just four points from victory and a $5000 paycheck. While Hanfmann opened the game with a winner up the line, a double fault and a handful of more unforced errors cost him the game, set and match.

The enthusiastic crowd in this most intimate of stadiums, thoroughly enjoyed this highly competitive match on a picture-perfect day in Stowe, Vermont and eagerly awaited the second singles match between the American, Noah Rubin and the French veteran and last year's finalist, Jeremy Chardy.