ATP Generali Open: Thiem, Kohlschreiber, Verdasco spread out in Kitzbühel

At the Generali Open in Kitzbühel on Monday, Dennis Novak and Jurij Rodionov will play against each other. Meanwhile, many players take advantage of the opportunities around the tournament location.

By Jens Huiber from Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel should definitely be explored by bike these days. Not just the city, no, the whole district is best. From Oberndorf to Aurach, perhaps with a small detour to the Bichlalm, electronic support by bike is permitted. The main thing is exercise in the fresh air.

If you are interested in tennis, you can kill several birds with one stone. And watch world-class players practicing or other activities, away from the Kitzbühel Tennis Club.

In Oberndorf, for example, two left-handers worked on their form for the Generali Open 2018 on Sunday, with great peace and concentration. Maximilian Marterer completed his early shift with the German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann. To make room for Fernando Verdasco, who has been in the Kitzbühel room for a few days like a torturer.

Unit number two was designed by the German rising star of the year with Robin Haase on the show grounds. The Dutchman has the best memories of Kitzbühel, he has triumphed here twice, the Walk of Fame (renovated this year) witnesses the Haases. That the same 2015 Davis Cup defeat against Andreas Haider-Maurer in the opening round has brought the Dutch team into the relegation against Switzerland on its own will not dampen the 31-year-old’s self-confidence.

At that time, three years ago, Haase also held himself harmless against Dominic Thiem in the international match. A reunion with the number one of the tournament in 2018 would be possible in the semi-final, Thiem only started on Sunday due to a commitment in Hamburg. And the difference in altitude between the city on the Elbe and the one on the Ache is more than compensated for.

The Lichtenwörther has taken on an additional 50 metres of altitude, attentive cyclists in the direction of the Bichlalm will have seen the current number eight in the world from the corners of their eyes during the exercise unit with Günter Bresnik. Thiem has Monday off in singles, also from a commitment in doubles with Dennis Novak was abstained.

On the last day of qualifying, Moritz Thiem was responsible for the sparring as well as his tennis activities. Novak may contest the highlight of the day on Monday (not before 5 p.m.), he will meet Yuri Rodionov. He may not be rested, but full of adrenaline, could convince both Ernests Gulbis and Lorenzo Sonego.

And the number two of the tournament, the defending champion, Philipp Kohlschreiber? That was and is the peace itself. At least this is what observers report who accompanied Fernando Verdasco and Dennis Novak to the Aurach Wildlife Park on Saturday. This, by the way, is also a tour that would be recommended.

Here is the schedule for Monday in Kitzbühel