Davis Cup: Dominic Thiem out - Stefan Koubek looking for the second single player
Austria's team boss Stefan Koubek has to do without Dominic Thiem at the Davis Cup in Salzburg. The replacement for the top ten man from Lichtenwörth is still open.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jan 23, 2019, 08:00 pm
Stefan Koubek is still giving himself time - at least until Wednesday, late evening. Koubek was on his way back from Germany to Vienna when the news of Dominic Thiem's cancellation for the Davis Cup game in Salzburg against Chile made the rounds in the media on February 1st and 2nd. The Austrian team boss was of course informed of Thiem's decision earlier, but the former world-class player did not want to address his first replacement option until later.
"Jurij Rodionov is currently playing at the Challenger in Rennes and has had a tough draw there with Adrian Mannarino," Koubek told tennisnet.com. Rodionov, who had done well in qualifying at the Australian Open, was waiting for the call anyway - should something happen. Alexander Peya, who will be back at ORF as an expert in Salzburg, was also impressed by Rodionov's appearances in Melbourne.
However, in Rennes, as before, the first major of the year is played on hard court, in the Salzburg Arena sand is laid on. What if the youngster is not available - as a second single player next to Dennis Novak?
Austria double favorite for Peya
"Gerald Melzer will be training in Salzburg all week long," said Koubek. However, regarding the use of the younger Melzers, one has to consider that Gerald hasn't played a match in a long time. Sebastian Ofner is still in the southern hemisphere, Jürgen Melzer has ended his individual career. Actually.
The veteran had secured victory against the Russian team in Moscow in the spring with success in doubles and in singles. But Alexander Peya may not really believe in such a double burden - after all, it could be up to six sets that Davis Cup legend Melzer would have to hold out.
"In terms of the individual ranking, we are now actually outsiders in every match," said Peya, who had to undergo an operation on his injured elbow a week ago. "In doubles, however, I see ourselves as favorites, regardless of the line-up." For Stefan Koubek, apart from Jürgen Melzer, the proven experts Oliver Marach and Philipp Oswald are also available.
At the moment, the captain's job is to find the second single player.