Erste Bank Open: Sensational Jurij Rodionov beats Denis Shapovalov
Big surprise at the end of the first day of the Erste Bank Open. Local hero Jurij Rodionov defeated the world number 12. Denis Shapovalov after an impressive performance 6: 4 and 7: 5.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 26, 2020, 09:15 pm
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
"I'll give my last shirt to make everyone proud," said Jurij Rodionov in view of his first appearance in the main draw of the Erste Bank Open. In this field of participants he is an outsider against every player, also and especially against opponent Denis Shapovalov, who is also about to qualify for the first time for the ATP finals of the eight best players of the season in Vienna.
Accordingly, Denis Shapovalov started this game ambitiously, going from the baseline at the usual high speed. And thereby forced Rodionov to take a lot of risk himself. He risked a lot, especially with the serve in the early stages of the game: It went well in the first game with an ace with the second serve, but the Austrian made two double mistakes in the next service game - Shapovalov made the early break.
Rodionov creates the turnaround
There was no sign of giving up with the young Austrian, who found a few half-chances in the next two games, but could not use them. But things went better in the Canadian’s next service game, Rodionov made the break and a little later took the lead with his own serve. As if that weren't enough, the Austrian was also able to set accents in the next service game of his Canadian opponent and found set ball. When the native of Nuremberg was also able to transform this, the Wiener Stadthalle was turned upside down again that day.
Rodionov took this momentum with him into the second set, played very aggressively and kept looking for a way to the net. His opponent Shapovalov, on the other hand, acted extremely insecure, especially on the second serve, scattering double errors over and over again throughout the game. In the second half, both players remained much less at risk than in the first set when they served their own, and there were no break chances for Jurij Rodionov to score 6: 5.
Dominic Thiem in action on Tuesday
But then Denis Shapovalov's nerves fluttered. The Canadian started this service game with a terrible volley error and was confronted with 0:30 after a double error. After another mistake of the world number 12. Suddenly there were three match points for Jurij Rodionov, who also knew how to use his first. This is the greatest victory in the Austrian's still young career.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, Austria's number one will also join the tournament. In the third match after 2:00 p.m. Dominic Thiem, who is going to the Erste Bank Open as the defending champion, meets Vitaliy Sachko, who was in the field for Kei Nishikori. Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will also serve in the Wiener Stadthalle on Tuesday.