The draw for the Erste Bank Open in Vienna is out and the ATP-500-Event is going to be a great duel in the first rounds. Local hero Dominic Thiem will play Richard Gasquet for the first time, Kyle Edmund and Diego Schwartzman are two superstars.
Nikolaus Fink reports from the Vienna Stadthalle
It is the unintentionally difficult lot for Dominic Thiem at the start of his home tournament in Vienna. In the first round of the Erste Bank Open, the local hero will face Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
Thiem, the favourite for the title, has suffered painful defeats in the Vienna Stadthalle in recent years and lagged behind the expectations of the fans.
Now it should not be made easy also in this year to the Topgesetzten. With Gasquet, Thiem meets an opponent who has been at the top of the world for years and who can be dangerous for any player on the tour.
Dennis Novak also had less luck with the draw. The second Austrian in the starting field will meet the strong Russian Karen Khachanov, who can cause enormous damage with his hard basic strokes.
Last year, Novak played its way into the main field in Vienna for the first time and caused ecstasy among the local fans. A victory against the favoured Russian would probably not cause less enthusiasm.
The duel between Kyle Edmund and Diego Schwartzman also promises high suspense. Both are considered co-favorites and have what it takes to win the title. It is also clear that one of the top players will have to pack his bags early on.
Dominic Thiem (1) – Richard GasquetJo-Wilfried Tsonga – Sam QuerreyKaren Khachanov – Dennis Novak (WC)Frances Tiafoe – Kei Nishikori (5)Grigor Dimitrov (3) – QualifierQualifant – QualifierMarton Fucsovics – Felix Auger-Aliassime (WC)Damir Dzumhur – Fabio Fognini (7)Kyle Edmund (8) – Diego SchwartzmanFernando Verdasco – QualifierGael Monfils (SE) – Steve JohnsonHyeon Chung – John Isner (4)Borna Coric (6) – Albert Ramos Viñolas Philipp Kohlschreiber – Lucas PouilleMilos Raonic – Jürgen Melzer (WC)Nikolos Basilashvili – Kevin Anderson (2)