Mixed feelings for Austrian players
Local favorite Jurij Rodionov reacted with a smile to his opening-round challenge during the main draw ceremony on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Austrian, currently ranked World No. 155, received a wild card into his home event and faced world No. 7 Alex de Minaur.
“It will be an interesting match. De Minaur on a fast hard court is probably not ideal. But you have to take what Niavarani drew,” joked Rodionov, referring to the draw made by Austrian comedian Michael Niavarani.
Rodionov defeated de Minaur in their only previous meeting, four years ago on grass in Stuttgart, but fell this time at home, 6-4, 6-1.
Another Austrian hopeful, Filip Misolic, entered the tournament with a wild card and a winnable first-round match against world No. 50 Camilo Ugo Carabelli. Misolic made the most of his opportunity, prevailing 7-5, 7-6 (6). He now leads Ugo Carabelli in their head-to-head, 2-1.
“Physically, I feel great, which is the most important thing,” Misolic said.
Though home fans were denied an all-Austrian clash in the round of 16—Rodionov and Misolic would have faced off, had they both won—there will be no shortage of must-see matches at the Erste Bank Open.
