ATP Cup: Dennis Novak lost to Kacper Zuk in three sets - Austria practically eliminated
Dennis Novak caused a capital false start from the Austrian perspective in the international fight against Poland. The 26-year-old lost to Kacper Zuk 7: 5, 6: 7 (3) and 3: 6. ( You can read about the game in our live ticker ). The Thomas Muster team now needs a little miracle for the ascent.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jan 08, 2020, 02:56 am
Everything possible before the last group game - this was the starting position of the Austrian team before the international match against the already eliminated Poles. With a 3-0 win, the chances of promotion would be more than intact, all other results would mean the departure of Thomas Muster's men.
Dennis Novak kicked off the Austrians. After the great success over Guido Pella, the 26-year-old went against the world rankings 448. Kacper Zuk as the clear favorite in the game. The Pole, who managed the first break to 3: 2, got the better start. As in the first set against Pella, Novak was too lethargic and, at 2: 4, had to fend off another breakball.
Novak fights back
That should start the turn in the first round: Novak made it 4: 4 and took his 20-year-old opponent again in the twelfth game - the first set went 7: 5 to the Austrian.
Novak, who will make his top 100 debut next week, felt that the better player was also at the start of the second round. However, the Lower Austrian missed a few half chances and was therefore unable to break away decisively. So Zuk managed the first break in set two, but the 20-year-old could not serve out and had to accept the rebreak to 5: 5.
After two more breaks, there was a tie-break in which Zuk quickly settled and the short divorce subsequently won 7: 3. The Pole then sent the game into a third set, which was already extremely important for Austria in terms of promotion.
Austria only with little chance of advancement
This seemed to paralyze Novak, the Austrian had to give up his serve in the fourth game of the third round after a 40-0 lead. The 26-year-old should not recover from this, Novak lost to Zuk with 7: 5, 6: 7 (3) and 3: 6.
Austria was practically eliminated from the ATP Cup. Belgium and Canada will land in front of Thomas Muster's team regardless of the results in the remaining two games. The climb is only possible if Argentina beats Croatia 3-0. In this case, the sentence ratio would decide - Austria could still rise as a group winner.
Dominic Thiem meets Hubert Hurkacz in the second game of the day. The task against the Pole will be extremely difficult. Hurkacz has won both ATP against Diego Schwartzman and Borna Coric at the ATP Cup and is 1-0 ahead in head-to-head against Thiem. The match is available in our live ticker and on ServusTV .