Fans at the Erste Bank Open were treated to a marathon match to kick things off in the main draw. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) and Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) fought for 2.5 hours before the Georgian kept the upper hand 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
Basilashvili won the first set thanks to a late break. In the second heat it was Carreno Busta who broke his opponent’s serve for a 5-4 lead. Serving for the set, Carreno Busta faced a 0-40, but five points in a row secured the second set. In the deciding set, Basilashvili broke the Spaniard for a 5-3 lead and had no problems serving out the match.
Shooting star Alcaraz shines
Spain’s shooting star Carlos Alcaraz made his Vienna debut one to remember. He cruised to an easy 6-4, 6-3 win over Britains Daniel Evans.
Australian Alex de Minaur ousted Kevin Anderson, Vienna champion from 2018, similarly easy 6-3, 7-6 (3).
Tsitsipas wins in doubles
Stefano Tsitsipas’s first appearance at this year’s Erste Bank Open was also successful. Together with Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, the Greek won his first round doubles match in the newly built tennis tent “Tennis 2 Go” against Dodig (CRO)/Melo (BRA) in three sets.
The Croatian number 1 pairing Metkic/Pavic cruised to an easy two-set win against Pütz (GER)/Venus (NZL)