The draw for the men’s qualification at the US Open brought in a possible second round match between Gerald and Jürgen Melzer. Before that, the two are facing quite feasible tasks, for the Grand Slam debutants Lucas Miedler and Maximilian Neuchrist it will probably be difficult. Dennis Novak and Sebastian Ofner complete half a dozen of the ÖTV.
The top-ranked Austrian Gerald Melzer will meet Darian King from Barbados, who qualified for the Masters in Miami this year and was in a Challenger final in Indian Wells.
The older of the Melzer brothers Jürgen – former double champion of New York – gets it to the prelude with the Frenchman Kenny De Schepper. The experienced player was able to win all three duels with the 31-year-old.
Wimbledon and Australian Open qualifier Novak will also play a Frenchman in round one with Quentin Halys. The 21-year-old also qualified this year in Melbourne and describes the hard court as his favourite surface. A few weeks ago he defeated Gilles Muller in two sets in Los Cabos.
Ofner could get tips from Gerald Melzer for his opening match. He will meet Nino Serdarusic, whom Melzer had clearly defeated in the Wimbledon qualification. The Croatian’s form is unimpressive: he lost seven of his last eight matches at ATP and Challenger level.
Two opponents from Italy are waiting for Miedler and Neuchrist at their premiere appearances. The former has to deal with number seven in qualifying Thomas Fabbiano, the latter meets Simone Bolelli, seeded 29. But both ÖTV players can be reckoned with a sensation, as they have both gained self-confidence and reached a new career high with good results on hard court in the last few weeks.
Miedler could face Ofner in round three, both were drawn into the same section.
Thanasi Kokkinakis and Bernard Tomic are also an absolute hit from an international point of view. Click here for the complete men’s qualification tableau. No Austrian woman will compete in the women’s competition. The ladies’ draw can be found here.