Zverev wins opening match at Erste Bank Open in Vienna

It went worse for the seventh-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev, who lost to the Briton Cameron Norrie 2-6, 7-6(5), 2-6. The Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas withdrew from the tournament at short notice due to a back injury.

Zverev's Nerve-Wracking Victory at Erste Bank Open in Vienna

Zverev started the ATP500 hard court event, which is endowed with more than 2.7 million euros, against the world number 81 as planned, but found no means against the 24-year-old's game in the second set. In the deciding set, the favorite regained his composure, yet both players met on equal terms. At 5-4, the German missed a match point, but kept his nerve in the tiebreak and ended the match with the fourth match point. Thus, Zverev also won the fourth career and season duel with the Vienna debutant.

Fearnley Played Like "Young Djokovic"

"He started playing like Djokovic ten years ago at some point," praised Zverev of his opponent. In the end, the 28-year-old had significantly more trouble than in the past two Vienna editions, where he had remained without losing a set against the ÖTV players Sebastian Ofner (2023) and Joel Schwärzler (2024) in the opening round. After that, it was the end of the line in the quarterfinals each time. The goal in his sixth appearance in Vienna is the second title after 2021.

Rublev failed as the second seed. On Monday, the fifth-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, who was in the final in the Stadthalle last year, lost to the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 3-6, 7-5, 4-6. Instead of Tsitsipas, world number 25, the Serbian Hamad Medjedovic moved into the main draw as a lucky loser on Tuesday afternoon and shortly thereafter lost to the fourth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 3-6.

Musetti's matches in the coming weeks will also be closely followed by the ÖTV, as the world number eight is Italy's number one in the Davis Cup quarterfinal duel with Austria on November 19 in Bologna, following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal. In Vienna, the 23-year-old French Open semifinalist is aiming for his third season final after those in Chengdu and Monte Carlo.

(APA/Red)

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