The Swedish tennis brothers had received a wildcard to the ATP tournament Nordic Open in Stockholm and were drawn to face each other in the first round.
Elias and Mikael Ymer of course know each other inside and out since they have been training together since they were small, but had never met at the ATP level before on Tuesday evening.
It was this that we prayed for, when we prayed to become tennis professionals, that we would get to meet on the center court, says Elias Ymer who released his emotions after the match.
I rarely cry, but today it was more than tennis. Everything we've been through, it hasn't been an easy road. And think of meeting the one you've shared everything with, setbacks, joys.
No emotions
Elias Ymer, 29, is the highest ranked of the brothers right now, 243rd in the world. Mikael Ymer, 27, has had a tough time after making a comeback at the beginning of the year and is first at 617th place in the world ranking.
Neither of the brothers showed any emotions in the game, perhaps out of respect for each other. However, it also meant that they did not get the audience going, who mostly applauded politely.
"Always served well here"
Elias Ymer played very well during the first set – made six aces and broke his brother's serve twice.
I have always served well here at the Royal (tennis hall) and knew that even if Mikael held his serve games, I would take mine. I served extremely well, but it was a bit tough against him because he knows my serve patterns. So I had to change my serve pattern, says Elias Ymer.
Mikael Ymer played up in the second, started making his serves and took more on the court. And took the set to a tiebreak.
There, Elias was the stronger and won with 7–4.
In the second round, Elias Ymer will face the Brit Jacob Fearnley, ranked 81st. The match will be played on Thursday.
