Erste Bank Open: Dennis Novak against Gael Monfils for the big sensation
Dennis Novak faces Gael Monfils in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament in Vienna (not before 15:00 CET). For the Austrian number two it is about the big sensation.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 23, 2019, 12:42 pm
by Nikolaus Fink from the Wiener Stadthalle
Local hero against Showman - Tournament Director Herwig Straka could have imagined for the first round probably worse matches than those between Dennis Novak and Gael Monfils. After the match between Dominic Thiem and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, this match promises to be the second big highlight of the ATP-500 event in Vienna.
Although Novak will go into the first meeting with the Frenchman as a blatant outsider, touring coach Julian Knowle trusts him a lot - because the Austrians feel comfortable against a great backdrop: "He has often proved that the big stage is good for him, him The bigger challenge for him was to finish 27th in the Challenger, where two people watched, "says Knowle.
Criticism of the touring coach
The tactic for the game is in any case: "It will depend from the beginning that he does not get involved in anything, that he plays it consistently and dry." Anything but an easy task against Monfils, to which even against local heroes always fly the hearts of the audience.
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Overall, Knowle sees the development of the Austrian positively: "I think that he has stabilized extremely from his performance down." However, there is still much air in the training in terms of intensity: "He is not the exceptional talent, where only 70 to 80 percent are enough. "
"There is still a bit missing"
Not least for that reason, Novak ranks only at No. 124 in the ATP world ranking list. The 26-year-old has never before been in the top 100, most recently losing to Sam Querrey in Stockholm's first round, despite decent performance: "It's not a coincidence that he does not win these matches, it just lacks a bit." explains Knowle.
Whether Novak can bring this "certain something" against Monfils on the pitch remains to be seen. Anyway, Herwig Straka will happily watch the match - no matter how it ends up.