Today there will be a red-white-red duel in the round of 16 of the tennis challenger in Zadar. Dominic Thiem will meet Salzburg’s Lukas Neumayer for the second time, who beat qualifier Mathys Erhard (Fra) 6:3, 6:2 at the start. “It was solid,” said the 21-year-old world number 219, who was clearly defeated by Thiem 1:6, 4:6 at the domestic Pro Series (during the corona pandemic) in June 2020.
The 2020 US Open champion has now made himself vulnerable on the courts around the world, but the appearance against Filip Krajinovic (6:2, 7:6) was a small step in the right direction. The tournament ended for Dennis Novak (6:7, 7:6, 1:6 against Timofey Skatov/Kaz) and Filip Misolic, who gave up against Matej Dodig (Cro) when the score was 6:7 (2), 2:5 However, already in round one.
Sandro Kopp fought his way out of qualifying into the top 16 – 6:2, 7:6 (3) against Francesco Maestrelli (Ita).
Six match points awarded
From Yuri Rodionov’s point of view, Miami was not worth the trip. The 91st-best Austrian in the world rankings – behind Sebastian Ofner (40th) and Thiem (90th) – missed a huge opportunity in qualifying for the Masters 1000 event. Rodionov missed no less than six match points on the way to the 7:6 (3), 6:7 (7), 2:6 defeat against the Finnish Otto Virtanen. In the tiebreak of the second set, the 24-year-old from Lower Austria was already leading 6/3. “It was definitely not the result I was hoping for,” Rodionov said.
Ofner has his place in the main field secure. Today the Styrian will face Kei Nishikori in the first round. The Japanese was already fourth in the world rankings and in the US Open final in 2014, but after numerous injuries the 34-year-old only appears in position 351. “His qualities are well known, I will have to play very well,” emphasized Ofner.
