Erste Bank Open: Jürgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin win Austrian duel
Jürgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin have also underlined their ambitions to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals at the Erste Bank Open. In the first round, the Austro-French pairing prevailed against Oliver Marach and Dan Evans 6: 2 and 7: 5.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 28, 2020, 01:24 pm
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
Matches with Jürgen Melzer have had a very special character since last Monday at the latest. In the course of his introduction as the new sporting director of the Austrian tennis association, the German-Wagramer announced that he wanted to give up his professional career with the Australian Open next year. Accordingly, many fans have already come to the Wiener Stadthalle at noon to watch the former world number eight at work.
Melzer, who competed alongside the French Edouard Roger-Vasselin, should meet the Austro-British duo Marach / Evans in the first round of the Erste Bank Open. Oliver Marach broke up with long-term partner Raven Klaasen after the messed up appearances in North America at the restart of the ATP tour - and is currently serving with different double colleagues.
Served at the second attempt
The lack of settling in the Grazer and the British in this match, at least at the beginning, was clearly noticeable, Melzer / Roger-Vasselin should create an early break and not let this advantage be taken away. With another break, the well-rehearsed duo made 1-0 sets. In the second round it initially looked like this sentence would become a very clear matter, again the Deutsch-Wagram and the French managed the first break.
This time Marach / Evans were able to react better, the two had two chances to rebreak in the sixth game, but left them unused. It worked out better when Melzer / Roger-Vasselin were already serving on the match win - their opponents managed the break at the right time, in set two everything was back on track. But not for long, the Austro-French duo grabbed another break straight away - and should serve up confidently in the second attempt.
One last hurray in the town hall
"It's very special, because it's the last time. I had some of the best moments of my career here. Of course I hope that I can play a few more matches here," said the German-Wagramer after his success. Jürgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin have thus impressively underlined their ambitions to secure a place at the Nitto ATP Finals.