He even made it to the semi-finals at the 2021 grass tournament in Stuttgart. For Rodionov it was his fourth victory en suite in Astana after successful qualification. It is also his biggest success so far this year. The Lower Austrian’s next opponent is Adrian Mannarino. The Frenchman, seeded number six, defeated Russian Alibek Katchmasow 6:2 5:7 6:3 in the round of 16.
Rodionov will most likely return to the top 100 in the world rankings. He recently cleared this hurdle for the first time, but soon fell out again and is currently ranked 107th. Something is definitely possible for Rodionov in the quarterfinals. Rodionov won his only previous duel with Mannarino in three sets four years ago in the first round of the Challenger in Rennes.
“I am very grateful for the support”
“I was very aggressive and tried to force my game on him. In a few games I wasn’t able to keep it together mentally, but luckily with the big points,” Rodionov said in an on-court interview. He also thanked the spectators who cheered him on with unusual intensity. “I am very grateful for the support. I don’t think it happens every day that an Austrian comes to Kazakhstan and the entire stadium supports him. I’m looking forward to playing here again in the quarter-finals.”
Ofner turns match against Fucsovics
In the morning, Sebastian Ofner won his opening match against the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 2:6 6:2 6:3 after falling behind in a set. The next opponent for the 27-year-old Styrian is number three seeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik. Ofner, who was unable to play on the second day of the Davis Cup against Portugal due to an injury, botched the start and gave up his first two service games. Austria’s number one could no longer make up for the quick 4-0 deficit.
Current ATP tournaments
In the second set, Ofner caught himself in a duel with his opponent, who was one place higher in the ATP rankings (Fucsovics is 57th, note) and made breaks to 3:1 and 6:2. In the third set, Ofner used his only break chance to make it 2-0, but had to overcome a difficult situation when the score was 4-2. However, the Styrian kept his nerve, fended off all three break points and made it 5:2. After a playing time of 1:52 hours, Ofner used his first match point.
Game changed after first set
“I got off to a bad start. After the first set I changed my game a bit. “I rallied a lot more, was more patient and served well,” said Ofner. The Styrian said he had “a good match” in the second and third sets, he didn’t do much nonsense and went to the net well.
He is prepared for anything against Bublik. “You never know what’s really going to happen. He serves amazingly. A lot will definitely depend on the return and how I structure my service games. It will be a difficult match, but it is definitely doable.”
Two Austrian duels possible
If Ofner prevails against Bublik, who won his only duel with the Styrian five years ago in two sets at a smaller tournament in New York, a duel with Dominic Thiem would be possible. But there would only be a “stable duel” if Thiem also wins against Marcos Giron (USA) in the round of 16. These games take place on Saturday. If we continue to dream from an Austrian perspective, a semi-final between Rodionov and Ofner or Thiem would be possible.
ATP 250 tournament in Astana
(Kazakhstan, $1,093,360, hard court)
Eighth Final-Tableau: Tallon Griekspoor (NED/1) Sho Shimabukuro (JPN) -:- -:- Nuno Borges (POR) Sebastian Korda (USA/5) -:- -:- Jiri Lehecka (CZE/4) Egor Gerasimov ( BLR) 6:2 7:6 (7/3) Hamad Medjedovic (SRB) Alexander Schewtschenko (RUS) 6:4 6:4 Marcos Giron (USA)
Dominic Thiem (AUT)
-:- -:-
Sebastian Ofner (AUT) Alexander Bublik (KAZ/3) -:- -:- Adrian Mannarino (FRA/6) Alibek Katschmasov (RUS) 6:2 5:7 6:3
Yuri Rodionov (AUT) Sebastian Baez (ARG/2) 6:2 6:4 First round table: Tallon Griekspoor (NED/1) bye Sho Shimabukuro (JPN) Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6:2 6:4 Nuno Borges (POR) Michail Kukuschkin (KAZ) 5:7 7:6 (8/6) 6:4 Sebastian Korda (USA/5) Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 7:6 (7/5) 6:7 (4/7) 6:4 Jiri Lehecka (CZE/4) Bye Egor Gerasimov (BLR) Bernabe Zapata Miralles (ESP) 7:6 (7/5) 6:3 Alexander Shevtschenko (RUS) Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) 6:4 6:3 Hamad Medjedovic (SRB ) Laslo Djere (SRB/7) 6:3 2:1 ret. Marcos Giron (USA) Stan Wawrinka (SUI/8) 6:7 (6/8) 7:6 (7/4) 7:6 (8/6)
Dominic Thiem (AUT) Juan Pablo Varillas (PER) 6:3 7:6 (10/8)
Sebastian Ofner (AUT) Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 2:6 6:2 6:3 Alexander Bublik (KAZ/3) Bye Adrian Mannarino (FRA/6) Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) 7:6 (7/4) 6:2 Alibek Katschmasow (RUS) Corentin Moutet (FRA) 6:3 7:6 (7/5)
Yuri Rodionov (AUT) Gregoire Barrere (FRA) 2:6 6:4 7:6 (7/5) Sebastian Baez (ARG/2) bye
