KITZBÜHEL, August 2, 2023 (by Dietmar Kaspar)
The “Super-Wednesday” at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel featuring all singles-matches in the round of last 16 was highlighted by the thriller between Alex Molcan from Slovakia and Austrian No. 1 Sebastian Ofner.
In the pair’s first tour-level meeting, both players dropped their first service game in the beginning, but stayed solid on their serve afterwards. In the 10th game, Ofner converted his second break-point chance in the game to take the opening set.
In the second set, Ofner was dominating with his aggressive ground strokes and took a fast 5-0-lead. After missing two match points in the game, the World No. 61 made more easy mistakes and lost confidence. Molcan won seven games in a row to push the match the distance.
After Molcan getting the first break in the deciding set, Ofner fought back to go for the decider. By converting the second match point, Molcan prevailed 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5) after about two and a half hours.
ROLLERCOASTER 🤯
Alex Molcan comes from a set and 5-0 to defeat number 4 seed Ofner in Kitzbuhel…#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/nmqsHuSYYw
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 2, 2023
“To be honest, I do not really know what happened today. I started to play faster and won the second set, which is kind of a miracle for me. But I am so happy that I did it in the end,” Molcan said during his on-court interview. Asked about the crowd supporting the home favourite, he responded: “I like to play in a packed stadium. It was normal, that the most spectators today were against me, but it is ok and extra motivation for me.”
Next up for the No. 120 of the World will be Sebastian Baez from Argentina, who defeated sixth-seeded Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1, 6-1.
Thiem fights back
Former US Open-Champion Dominic Thiem closed Center-Court action in the match against Zhizhen Zhang from China. In-form Zhang, who reached the semi-finals at the European Open in Hamburg last week, started well with his aggressive game style from the baseline and gained a fast 5-0-lead. After Thiem scoring his first game of the match, 26-year-old Zhang served the opening set out.
From the beginning of the second set, Zhang got more impatient by making more and more mistakes. The 29-year-old Thiem won more of the longer rallies due to the variety in his game to seal a 1-6, 6-3-6-2-victory after two hours and 22 minutes.
No place like home 🏡@domithiem continues his fine form, coming from a set down to defeat Zhang 1-6 6-3 6-2, and reach the QFs in Kitzbuhel!#GeneraliOpen pic.twitter.com/jA3JEjbdjp
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 2, 2023
“It was tough for me in the beginning of the match, because the conditions comparing to the night session yesterday were completely different,” said Thiem. “Sometimes it is easier to come back after a losing the first set to make a new start for the match. It was very important to hold my first service game in the second set. I am so happy about the win, which is important for me after the bad results in the last weeks.”
The World No. 116 will oppose Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who edged past former Generali Open finalist and No. 2 seed Yannick Hanfmann from Germany with 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Altmaier falls to Galan
In the second match on Court Küchenmeister, Daniel Elahi Galan rallied from a set down to overcome No. 8 seed Daniel Altmaier of Germany 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8) in two hours and 40 minutes. The World No. 76 from Colombia will meet Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Top favourite Etcheverry advances
Top seed Etcheverry beat his countryman and qualifier Guido Andreozzi. Twenty-four-year-old Etcheverry capitalized on five of his 10 break-point chances to prevail after one hour and 15 minutes.
WEDNESDAY RESULTS
Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) – Guido Andreozzi (ARG) 6-2, 6-2
Sebastian Baez (ARG) – Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-1, 6-2
Alex Molcan (SVK) – Sebastian Ofner (AUT) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5)
Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) – Daniel Altmaier (GER) 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8)
Laslo Djere (SRB) – Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) 7-6 (5), 6-3
Pedro Cachin (ARG) – Albert Ramos Vinolas (ESP) 7-5, 6-3
Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) – Yannick Hanfmann (GER) 7-6 (3), 6-3
Dominic Thiem (AUT) – Zhizhen Zhang (CHN) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2
