Erste Bank Open in Vienna kick off with Qualifying and special guests

Vienna, October 11, 2014

The Austrians had a bad start into the qualifying of the Erste Bank Open. World number 339 Bastian Trinker lost to German top talent Alexander Zverev (ATP 143), who reached the semifinals of the ATP 500 tournament in Hamburg in July this year after 2 hours and 19 minutes 7-6, 4-6, 7-5. Another local in person of Vorarlberg native and world number 206 Martin Fischer was beaten by the qualfying’s number one Peter Gojowczyk (ATP 111) 6-3, 1-6, 4-6. Croatian teenager and eighth-seed Borna Coric, who made it into the stage of the final eight in Umag earlier this year, lost in straight sets against 19-year-old Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6, 2-6 in 84 minutes.

On Saturday morning, the singles main draw ceremony took place in a shopping centre in Vienna. 21-year-old Dominic Thiem, who will be seeded on eighth position for the first time at his home tournament, will meet Dutch Robin Haase in the opening round. World number five David Ferrer and Vienna’s second-seeded Wild Card Andy Murray will enjoy a bye in the first round. The Spaniard waits for the winner of Tobias Kamke and Simone Bolelli and the Scot will play against Vasek Pospisil or a qualifyer.

The draw took place in the presence of Austrian doubles player Julian Knowle and the main cast of the successful stage show DIRTY DANCING – The Original Live On Tour, who will perform until October 26, 2014 in the Wiener Stadthalle.