Three Austrians were in action on the first day of the qualifying draw. Alexander Erler came closest to a real upset.
Erler, currently the number 479 in the world, won the first set against Canadian Vasek Pospisil (ATP no. 80) 6-3, before Pospisil found his groove to take the match in three sets 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, advancing to the second and final round of the qualifying draw.
The other two Austrian qualifiers stood no chance against their opponents: Lorenzo Sonego (ITA/ATP 42) beat Lukas Miedler 6-4, 6-3, while Aljaz Bedene (SLO/52) advanced 6-0, 6-4 against David Pichler.
Vitaly Sachko delivered the upset of the day. The number 529 in the world from Ukraine ousted Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert (ATP 82) in three sets. Nikolaz Basilashvili from Georgia, who was the favorite against Slovakian Norbert Gombos, also bowed out of the tournament with a 2-set loss.
