KITZBÜHEL, August 2, 2023 (by Dietmar Kaspar)

Home favourite Dominic Thiem headlined the action on a rain-interrupted Tuesday at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel by defeating Facundo Bagnis in straight sets. The 33-year-old  from Argentina was looking for revenge, because he lost in straight sets against Thiem in the opening match of the Croatia Open in Umag last week.

Bagnis had the better start after saving a break point in the first game, taking a 4-1 lead. Following a service hold by Thiem, the match was interrupted due to rain for more than an hour. After the return, the Austrian was pushed by the home crowd and won eight of the first nine points played to level play. At the score of 4-5, the former World No. 3 saved five set-points on serve to go for the decider. After one hour and 22 minutes, 29-year-old Thiem gained the first set 7-3 in the tie-break.

The first break in the second set was earned by Thiem, taking a fast 3-0-lead. But Bagnis fought back with three games in a row to tie the level. Without any further breaks, the set also went for the decider. Being to set points down at 4-6, Thiem scored four points in a row to finish a 7-6(3), 7-6(6) victory after two hours and 22 minutes.

Late Night Thriller! 🔥@domithiem comes through an entertaining battle with Bagnis 7-6 7-6 in Kitzbuhel!#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/5uhTpijIoT

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 1, 2023

“It was another great night and the third night session here for me in Kitzbühel. I played a really good level, but he was able to keep it up,” the World No. 116 said during his on-court interview.

Next up for the former US Open champion will be Zhizhen Zhang from China, who battled past Serbian No. 7 seed Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-2.

Altmaier prevails

Center-court action was opened by the match of German No. 8 seed Daniel Altmaier against Marc-Andrea Huesler from Switzerland. Both also met in the opening round at Roland Garros some weeks ago. After the 27-year-old Huesler took the lead by a break at the score of 2-1, play had to be suspended for more than three hours due to rain. After the delay, 24-year-old Altmaier fought back into the match but lost the first set in the tie-breaker. With the match going on, Altmaier found better solutions against the aggressive game style of Huesler and advanced by converting all of his four break-point chances by the score of 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4 after two hours and 13 minutes. The World No. 51, who reached the quarter-finals of the Hamburg European Open on home soil last week, got the second win against Huesler in a row and will meet Daniel Elahi Galan from Colombia in the next round.

“I am happy to go through, because it was a tough battle and Marc played a good level and served incredible,” said Altmaier. Asked about the support of his whole family, he added: “We are travelling all the time of the year, so I am happy that Kitzbühel is one week home for me with my family.”

Djere continues good run of form

Laslo Djere, who finished runner-up to Alexander Zverev at the Hamburg European Open, started action on Court Kuchenmeister against Christopher O’Connell from Australia. In a close match, the No. 5 seeded Serb gained one point more to advance 6-4, 7-6(4) in about two hours to face Thiago Seyboth Wild in the round of last 16.

Seyboth Wild beats Novak

The Brazilian wild card entry opposed Austrian Dennis Novak, who entered the main draw with two wins in the qualifying event. After an even start, 23-year-old Seyboth Wild gained the only break in the opening set. At the score of 5-3, 40-0, he served an ace and took already place on the bench for the change, but the serve was called out afterwards. After Novak saving two set points, the Brazilian took the first set and also earned the only break in the second set to advance 6-3, 6-4 after 83 minutes.

“I felt very comfortable on the court and I am so happy about the win and hope to do the same tomorrow. It is never easy to play against a local hero, but I actually enjoy playing matches like this with a lot of pressure,” Seyboth Wild said.

TUESDAY RESULTS

Dominic Thiem (AUT) – Facundo Bagnis (ARG) 7-6(3),

Daniel Altmaier (GER) – Marc-Andrea Huesler (SUI) 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4

Laslo Djere (SRB) – Christopher O’Connell (AUS) 6-4, 7-6(4)

Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) – Dennis Novak 6-3, 6-4

Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) – Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG) 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2

Zhizhen Zhang (CHN) – Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 6-3, 6-2