Vienna Open draw: Nightmare half for Dominic Thiem; Novak Djokovic could face Stefanos Tsitsipas in semis
Defending champion Dominic Thiem has landed in a difficult half at the Vienna Open as he will face Kei Nishikori first up followed by a possible second-round encounter against Stan Wawrinka with Daniil Medvedev a likely semi-final opponent.
US Open champion Thiem, who beat Diego Schwartzman in last year’s final to lift his home title, is seeded second for the tournament and finds himself in the bottom half of the indoor hard-court event.
If Thiem comes through his opener against former US Open runner-up Nishikori then he could take on three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka, who opens up his campaign against Cristian Garin, in the second round.
The winner could face either up and coming young gun Jannik Sinner or fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-final before one of Medvedev, Gael Monfils, Felix Auger-Aliassime or Kevin Anderson await in the semi-final.
This is the @erstebankopen singles main draw!#erstebankopen pic.twitter.com/mf4kvdSdJ8
— Erste Bank Open (@ErsteBankOpen) October 24, 2020
World No 1 Novak Djokovic will be the man to beat in the top half after he accepted a wildcard entry into the ATP 500 event.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner will take on fellow Serbian Filip Krajinovic in his opener while he will face either Borna Coric or Taylor Fritz in the second round.
Last year’s runner-up Schwartzman is likely to be a quarter-final opponent with third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and eighth seed Denis Shapovalov likely to be his semi-final opponent.
British No 1 Dan Evans, fresh from a semi-final appearance at the European Open, faces a qualifier first up with Shapovalov a possible second-round opponent.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
NewsAndy Murray admits he has been telling himself each match could be his last
After completing a routine 6-3 6-2 victory – his first singles win on home soil in 1084 days – Murray became tearful in his courtside interview.
-
Kevin Palmer‘Each match could be my last’ – Andy Murray holds back the tears after comeback win
Andy Murray did his best to contain the well of tears after his win.
-
NewsAndy Murray overcome by emotion as he makes winning return to Queen’s Club
Murray was playing first singles match on grass since 2018.
-
NewsDan Evans eyes ‘a few more wins’ at Queen’s Club after ending his long wait for a win
It was the British No 1’s first win at the venue since 2014.
-
WimbledonGary Neville unimpressed by double standards that will allow bigger Wimbledon crowds
Decision to allow increased capacity at Wimbledon sparked claims of double standards.
-
Wimbledon‘Fresh, clever, calm’ Novak Djokovic favourite to win Wimbledon and US Open, according to Mats Wilander
Novak Djokovic “looks scary good and motivated”, says Mats Wilander.
-
ATP Tour‘My Wimbledon goals are high, they have to be high, or I wouldn’t be playing,’ says Roger Federer
“The season starts around now,” says Roger Federer.
-
Kevin PalmerExclusive – Ex-British No 1 admits Andy Murray is not in control of his own destiny this summer
Andy Murray will return to the scene of some of his greatest triumphs.
-
WimbledonWimbledon finals to be played in front of capacity stadium after change in guidelines
Wimbledon officials are preparing to welcome bigger than expected crowds.
-
NewsHeather Watson battles past Viktorija Golubic at Birmingham’s Viking Classic
Heather Watson set up a clash against Shuai Zhang.