TULLN/STARNBERG, August 3, 2024

The ATP Challenger Tour is back in Austria with the fourth edition of the NÖ Open powered by EVN and only one home favourite booked his place in the second round of the clay-court event in Tulln on Tuesday.

Lukas Neumayer beat his compatriot Sandro Kopp 6-4, 6-2. The 21-year-old from Salzburg withstood five aces and broke his rival’s serve three times to secure victory in one hour and 23 minutes. Up next for Neumayer will be sixth-seeded Briton Oliver Crawford.

It was clearly not Filip Misolic‘s day, as evidenced by all the statistics. In his defeat against Ukrainian qualifier Vitaly Sachko, the No. 5 seed from Austria managed to land only 45 per cent of his first serves in play, 26 per cent less than his opponent. Additionally, his return game was unusually unstable, winning just 33 per cent of return points. In contrast, Sachko won 55 per cent of his return points, ultimately securing his second-round spot with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

Neil Oberleitner also struggled with consistency. His match against Czech Jakub Nicod, which had to be suspended the night before at 1-1 in the third set due to darkness, ended in disappointment for the Austrian. Just like in the first set, which he lost 4-6, a weak service game in the final set led to Oberleitner’s exit.

“Both times, I faltered. He, on the other hand, started solidly again, just like yesterday, but not overpoweringly. It’s a shame, but matches like these need to be put behind you, and you need to learn from them,” said the 25-year-old from Vienna after his 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 loss.

In other action, Jan Choinski of Great Britain knocks out top seed and defending champion Vit Kopriva from the Czech Republic 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Choinski won one point more than his opponent to prevail after two hours and 16 minutes.

Choinski powers through 💯

Upsets the No. 1 seed Kopriva in Tulln in three sets 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/YVo4pWaafL

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 3, 2024