Filip Misolic’s Vienna debut didn’t quite go the way the Austrian imagined. Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, more than 100 spots higher ranked than Misolic, easily won 6-3, 6-3.
The tournament’s number 3, Andrey Rublev, also had no problems, taking Argentinian fan-favorite Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-1 out of the tournament.
The other matches were quite closer and dramatic. Karen Khachanov ousted US qualifier J.J. Wolf 7-6 (4), 7-5, while Taylor Fritz, the tournament’s number 4, was on the verge of being eliminated by Japanese qualifier Nishioka, before turning the tide and emerging as 6-7 (4), 7-6 (7), 6-3 winner. Cincinnati winner Borna Coric (CRO) also had to go the distance against French qualifier Quentin Halys to advance to the second round with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win.
On Tuesday, Dominic Thiem will join the action. He will clash with Tommy Paul from the USA in the third match of the day.