Schwärzler (ATP 347th) had a small success: He won his first service game at <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/djoko-fanny-zverev-and-or-medvedev-at-the-top-murray-back-our-bets-for-the-2022-season/" title="Djoko fanny, Zverev and/or Medvedev at the top, Murray back: Our bets for the 2022 season”>ATP 500 level and made it 1-0 against the number three in the world. Afterwards, Zverev lived up to his role as favorite, and Schwärzler was noticeably tense on the big stage in front of the home crowd, although overall he did well and at the same time nurtured his hopes for a successful future.
“It was definitely fun to be able to play here. Of course I’m disappointed. Not because I lost, but because I didn’t play the way I wanted. “Still, it’s a great experience,” said Schwärzler in an ORF interview. “I was nervous, of course. The nervousness in the match went away because you were focused.”
Zverev a size too big
Alexander Zverev was too strong for Joel Schwärzler at the Erste Bank Open in the Wiener Stadthalle. The 18-year-old ÖTV talent had to admit defeat 2:6 2:6 in his opening game against the number one team in the tournament.
“He’s a great talent”
Schwärzler gave away his second service game after a 40-0 lead, and Zverev didn’t miss the first break point. With the lead behind him, the German played great. Schwärzler’s Spanish neo-coach Joan Ozon-Llacer, who replaced Jürgen Melzer after three years, had to watch idly. The 2021 Vienna winner was in motion, the second break followed, the first set ball was in.
The decisive difference was also made by the serves, which the German delivered hard and precisely, whereas Schwärzler showed a need for learning and did not have a chance to break as the game progressed. With the first break in the second set, Zverev made it 2-1 – the 27-year-old routinely played the lead home after another break with half his strength. With the fourth match point the game was over.
Zverev found words of praise for the Austrian hopeful. “He didn’t find himself in an easy situation: playing against the number three in the world for the first time in front of 10,000 people – that’s not easy. He is a great player, a great talent, and I believe that he will go very, very far,” said Zverev and: “I want to win the title in Vienna again.” The next opponent is the winner of the US duel Alex Michelsen with Marcos Giron.
Thiem – Garderi live in ORF1
After Schwärzler’s expected early departure, Dominic Thiem will face Luciano Darderi (ITA) on Tuesday in what may be his last match on the ATP tour. The 31-year-old former US Open winner is ending his career after the Erste Bank Open. Thiem has never played against Darderi.
The game against number 44 in the ATP world rankings can be seen live on ORF1 from 6 p.m., the broadcast begins at 5:45 p.m. and continues at 7:45 p.m. on ORF Sport +.
Erler/Miedler in double action
From an Austrian perspective, like Schwärzler and Thiem, the Antwerp winners Alexander Erler/Lucas Miedler are also there in Vienna thanks to a wildcard. They will also meet the Czech-Chinese pairing Tomas Machac and Zhang Zhizhen in round one of the doubles competition on Tuesday.
The only Austrian qualifier, Jurij Rodionov, was eliminated in the first round on Saturday. The 25-year-old from Lower Austria, currently ranked 193rd in the ATP rankings, lost 5:7 3:6 to Spaniard Jaume Munar, who was number three in the qualifying.
ATP 500 tournament in Vienna
(Austria, 2,626,045 euros, hard court, hall)
