Tennis: Novak moves to the last 16 in Vienna

The win was also the perfect revenge for Mager’s defeat to the 26-year-old at the end of July in the first round of Kitzbühel. In his last match before the birth of his son Constantine, there were only four matches with Novak, but this time it was not so from the start. Novak was able to count on his solid service. Novak was able to hold off the only break in the opening set and thus entered the tiebreak.

This opened the second-place finisher in Austria with an exact comeback in the corner, and Novak didn’t give that mini-break anymore. Also worth watching was the praise that was laid on the baseline after a rather unsuccessful hiatus, and he was sure to appreciate the audience and his coach Gunter Bresnik. The path was thus paved for Novak’s only fifth major win of the 2021 round, or the first since Gstaad in July.

Novak wins with a powerful serve

But it was still a difficult task, because both opponents continued to fight difficult duels mainly from the baseline. The 28-year-old Novak made his eighth appearance in Vienna against Mager, who was 48 places ahead of him in the rankings at 68th, and saved the only two balls in the set at 5:5. In the second tiebreak of the match, Novak dominated again Mager couldn’t stand his pressure after 101 minutes.

“The match was very heavy on serve,” Novak said during the winner’s interview. “However, the few gatherings we had were very attractive. I played two good stints and served them very well – except for one game in the second set where I had to tackle two break balls.” Unfortunately, Novak said, the offspring weren’t in the hall due to late arrival. .

Next discount Sinner or Opelka

But maybe on Thursday, when Novak has to tackle world number 11 Jannick Sener (ITA/7) or Riley Opelka (USA). With this game, the Central Court program will open on Wednesday (2 pm). In five of the six singles scheduled, both Italians operate, and the result was the round of 16 between veteran Andy Murray (Britain) and young star Carlos Alcaraz (Spain). Jürgen Melzer starts his last doubles session with Alexander Zverev (Germany) on the side court in Heumarkt before 4pm.

ATP 500 Championship in Vienna

(Austria, €1.974 million, hard court/hall)