Thiem in Vienna against the Italian Darderi, Schwärzler gets no hammer

Dominic Thiem will face number 44 in the world ranking in round 1 of his final participation in the ATP tennis tournament. Joel Schwärzler found it more difficult.

Dominic Thiem getting it in what is expected to be his last game on the ATP– Tour at the First Open Bank in Vienna on Tuesday night with Luciano Darderi (ITA). The former US Open winner, aged 31, ends his career after the ATP 500 tournament. Joel, who attended the draw on Saturday in the Steffl department store More gloomy he got a hammer ticket for his first time in the city hall: he meets number 1, third place in the world ranking Alexander Zverev (GER).

“I see this more as an opportunity to play against number 3 in the world. We could train together, we get along well,” Schwärzler said. The 18-year-old from Vorarlberg is indeed a clear outsider. Surprisingly, he received a wild card from tournament boss Herwig Straka, and he thanked him again on Saturday. “I’m looking forward to the game. I’ll go in to win, even if the odds aren’t that good now.”

For Thiem, who is currently preparing for his swan song at the exhibition tournament in Frankfurt, the chances of a first-round victory can be considered very low. Darderi is world number 44, Thiem has never played against the 22-year-old Italian and this year’s Cordoba winner.

Among the first rounds of the 50th anniversary edition is the fight between seeded Australian Alex de Minaur and German Jan-Lennard Struff or the favorite Grigor Dimitrow (BUL-3) with the Chinese Zhang Zhizhen which is to come. Former Vienna finalist Frances Tiafoe (USA-5) meets Britain’s Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper (GBR-7) play against the wild card Japanese Kei Nishikori (JPN).

Schwärzler is considered Austria’s great young hope. “I feel good. Of course the last few weeks have not been as desired, but nevertheless I have trained well. I’m playing well in training and I hope I can reach a good level.”

This week Schwärzler is testing the Spanish coach Juan Ozon-Llacer, who previously worked successfully with the Chilean Nicolas Jarry. “We are getting along very well and we have a very similar goal. We are making a decision, it won’t take long.”

On the one hand, he wants to move further and further up the rankings. “The most important thing is just to improve, physically, playfully and mentally. If this improves, the results will come naturally.”

The decision to part with ÖTV sports director Jürgen Melzer after three years of working with him did not come overnight. “At the point I’m in now, I think it was the right decision. I’m looking forward to the new chapter.”

Schwärzler is always there in Austria Günter Bresnik training. When asked if former coach Thiem would also be the opposite, Schwärzler did not dismiss it.

“I live four minutes from there, he has the perfect players for me and he can teach me a lot,” said Schwärzler, referring to the proximity to the south end of the city. Thank you very much for helping me through the difficult phase. Let’s see what happens now.”

Now the focus is on working with Ozon-Llacer, but Schwärzler said: “I won’t say that Günter is not an option, but I won’t say that I will go to Günter either. ” the world of the best coaches and “we already know each other.” (APA)