It didn’t take long for the qualification to see its first big upset: Local hero Lucas Miedler, the world’s no. 311 and only participating with a wild card, ousted favorite German Peter Gojowczyk in straight sets 7-6 (4), 6-2. Gojowczyk, the number 85 in the world, recently reach the semifinal in Metz and the round of the last 16 at the US Open.
Miedler’s next and final opponent in the qualification is American Frances Tiafoe who overcame Alex Molcan (SVK) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
Erler and Rodionov out
Miedler’s fellow countryman, Alex Erler, got off to a similar hot start against Italian Gianluca Mager (ATP 67). But the world’s number 328 couldn’t keep the pressure on and in the end Mager eliminated the Austrian wild card player 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-4. In the final qualification round the Italian will face German Dominik Koepfer who beat Australian Alex Bolt 7-6 (6), 6:1.
Jurij Rodionov was without any chance in his match with former Vienna winner Kevin Anderson. The South African made short work of Rodionov, winning 6-1, 6-4.
More results: Alexei Popyrin (AUS) defeats Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 7-5, 7-6 (8), Norbert Gombos (SVK) beats Marcos Giron (USA) 7-6 (5), 6-4. Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) beats Dominic Stricker (SUI) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.