The first major surprise came in the opening match on the Fairplay Court, where Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry defeated third seeds Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić (ESA/CRO) 7:6(8), 7:5.
Shortly afterwards, there was another upset alert on the same court. Top seeds Harri Heliövaara and Henry Patten (FIN/GBR) battled back from a set down against Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektić (USA/CRO), eventually prevailing 6:7(4), 6:2, 10:8.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev ensured that not a single seat was left empty on the #glaubandich Court. The German teamed up with Marcelo Melo (BRA), but the pair were beaten 7:6(6), 6:2 by fourth-seeded Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. Zverev still took time to sign autographs after the match.
An Austrian player also joined the doubles action in the final match of the day. Wildcards Alexander Erler and Robert Cash (USA) were defeated 6:4, 6:2 by Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard.
More doubles action awaits at the Marx Halle on Thursday. Two Austrian pairings will be battling for a place in the quarter-finals: Jurij Rodionov and Lukas Neumayer face Ryan Seggerman and Learner Tien, while Lucas Miedler and Neil Oberleitner take on Petr Nouza and Michael Venus.
