ATP: Final polish for qualifiers and dangerous outsiders

Last fine-tuning on the last day before the start of the Generali open in Kitzbühel – both from participants in the qualification as well as from players who have their place in the main field.

By Jens Huiber from Kitzbühel

When Martin Klizan won the German Open in Hamburg in 2016, only a few tennis fans had the Slovaks on the bill. These days, however, as the seeded take a collective time-out in the semi-finals of the tournament in Hamburg, the name Klizan is missing among the last four remaining players in Hamburg.

No wonder. Klizan had failed there in the first qualifying round due to Jürgen Melzer, immediately moved on to a small town – and is now trying his luck at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel. Training partner Dennis Istomin is facing a qualifying match like Klizan today. The Uzbek is in first place, meeting the Frenchman Elliott Benchetrit. Klizan has to fight Facundo Bagnis.

Maximilian Marterer is freed from such worries. A year ago, the left-hander needed two more victories to get a place in the main field, but torture has now played its way into the Top 50. The performance in Hamburg was as disappointing as that of Klizan, after Kitzbühel the German Davis Cup boss Michael Kohlmann came along again.

Torturer trains “chef” on the court with Dusan Lajovic, father Michael also supports his son’s efforts in the self-proclaimed sports capital of the Alps. Lajovic and Torturer could be two players playing for the title at the end of the week. Especially as two title contenders Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils have cancelled due to injury.

The Serb only just lost against Dominic Thiem in Lyon, at the French Open Alexander Zverev tortured him into a fifth set. On the other hand, chatrier air was allowed to sniff, especially the third round against Rafael Nadal has remained in the memory of the tennis fans.

Even fresher, however, is Dennis Novak’s successful run in Wimbledon anchored in tennis memory. The Lower Austrian kept up with Milos Raonic for a long time, especially on grass, a feat. And this after a successful qualification and a five-set victory against Lucas Pouille.

Novak has already been in Kitzbühel for a few days, the victories in Wimbledon have produced a wildcard for the main field. A reunion with buddy Dominic Thiem could happen sooner than expected: The surprising end of Austria’s number one against Nicolas Jarry has changed Thiem’s travel plans somewhat.

Whether there will be a Da-Capo of the events of 2016 will be shown by the draw for the double competition. Two years ago Novak and Thiem reached the final and even gave away a ball to win the tournament. Whether they would compete together again this time, they left open until the very end.

Here is the schedule in Kitzbühel