KITZBÜHEL, September 8, 2020
The ATP Tour returns to the clay this week at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel, the circuit’s first European tournament since February in Marseille. Main draw matches of the ATP 250 event with a total financial commitment of €400,335 kicked off on Tuesday with former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori in action for the first time since last year’s US Open.
However, the Japanese superstar, who underwent a right elbow surgery last October, lost in the opening round to Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6. The 21-year-old from Serbia capitalized on seven of his 10 break point chances to secure victory in just under two hours of play. Kecmanovic will next take on an Australian, either Jordan Thompson or John Millman.
Nishikori will also play doubles alongside countryman Yoshihito Nishioka. The duo will face top seeds Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos from Argentina on Wednesday.
Kec beats Kei! 💪
Miomir Kecmanovic spoils Nishikori’s return to the Tour by coming from a set down to win 4-6 6-4 6-2 and reach the #GeneraliOpen second round. pic.twitter.com/xsTkp2rAKV
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 8, 2020
Earlier in the day, local favourite Sebastian Ofner delighted his home crowd on Centre Court when he fought past Radu Albot of Moldova 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(4) after two hours and 45 minutes. The Austrian wild card entry will next face No. 2 seed Diego Schwartzman of Argentina, who has a 5-1 record on clay this year, with his best results coming on home-soil in Cordoba (lost the final to Cristian Garin) and Buenos Aires (lost the semi-final to Pedro Sousa).
In other action, No. 5 seed Hubert Hurkacz defeated Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-3, 7-5. The World No. 33 from Poland sent down six aces and won 92 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 24 minutes. Up next for Hurkacz will be wild card entry Dennis Novak or German qualifier Maximilian Marterer.
Former two-time Generali Open champion and Kitzbühel resident Philipp Kohlschreiber returns to the tournament for the 10th straight year and 13th overall. The 36-year-old German will headline Wednesday’s action when he takes on fellow wild card Jannik Sinner, who is the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion.
