Tennis: Rodionov makes debut at Masters tournament
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Tennis
Jurij Rodionov has qualified for a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time ever. With a 6:4 6:3 over the German Daniel Altmaier in Madrid, the 23-year-old from Lower Austria also mastered the second qualification hurdle on Tuesday.
25.04.2023 21.41
Online since yesterday, 9:41 p.m
Opening opponent of the world number 119. in the main competition is the 26-year-old Chinese Zhang Zhizhen. It is Rodionov’s first duel with the ATP-99. on the ATP tour. Should the Lower Austrian master this hurdle, he would meet Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the second round. The world number 27. has a bye as a seeded player in the first round.
Sebastian Ofner, on the other hand, missed the entry into the main round. The 26-year-old from Styria lost in the second qualifying round to the Russian Roman Safiullin 4:6 6:7 (4/7). In the WTA 1000 tournament at the same venue, Austria’s best woman was also eliminated. Julia Grabher clearly had to bow to Dajana Jastremska from the Ukraine in the second qualifying round with 1:6 2:6.
In addition to Rodionov, ÖTV star Dominic Thiem is also in the main competition. The Lower Austrian, who competed thanks to a wildcard, meets Kyle Edmund in the first round. The Briton (ATP-509.), who has fallen far behind in the rankings, is there thanks to a protected ranking. Thiem won the only duel between the two in 2017 in the first round of Barcelona. Should Thiem prevail, he will meet Barcelona finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE/4) in round two.
Erler/Miedler not in the doubles
Alexander Erler/Lucas Miedler, who won their second title of the season and their fourth career tournament in Munich on Sunday, are not there in doubles. Erler is therefore better than ever in the doubles ranking as 36th, and Miedler, who is two positions behind, can also look forward to a new record. In the season ranking, which is decisive for entering the ATP finals, the duo is tenth.
