ATP: Nerve-strong local hero

Dennis Novak has played his way into the main field of the ATP-500 tournament in Vienna with another strong performance. The local hero eliminated the next Italian player in the qualifying final.

Maximilian Kisanyik reports from the Vienna City Hall

After a strong appearance in the qualifying semi-final against Italy’s Andreas Seppi, local hero Dennis Novak continued his good performance. The 24-year-old could not have made a better start to the qualifying final for the 24-year-old – Novak secured his Italian opponent’s second service game for the break.

Afterwards he continued with a powerful play and acted strong and safe especially on the backhand. As the forehand began to get more and more precise, the serve games of the man from Wiener Neustadt became clearer and clearer. With a solid service game Novak secured the first round with 6:4.

In the second round Fabbiano got better and better and put Novak under pressure with a variable game. The Austrian allowed himself a small wobble at his own service and was promptly punished for it. The second round went to the Italian with 6:3 – the decision was made in the third set. There Novak got the much better start and took the lead with 3:0. However, his opponent fought back and equalled to 3-3. With a further increase, Novak raised his fist in the air after almost two hours and celebrated his entry into the main field in Vienna with a 6:4,3:6 and 6:4.

The Bulgarian and world number nine Grigor Dimitrov will be the first-round opponent for Novak.

In addition, three other main field participants have been selected in the Austrian capital. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez won in a competitive duel against Sergij Stahovsky 3-6,6-3 and 6-1. Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert secured a clear 7-6 (1) and 6-2 win over Simone Bolelli on the side side. Guido Bella won 6:2 and 6:2 against the Slovakian Lukas Lacko.

The single panel in Vienna