Austria Davis Cup: Bologna Bound on Winning Streak

What a prelude to the Fönix Arena in Debrecen! The Kurier Austria Davis Cup team is in the second qualification round for the Davis Cup Final 8 after the first day in Hungary sensationally in the lead. Responsible for this: Jurij Rodionov and Lukas Neumayer. First, the Hungarian number one forced Fábián Marozsán (ATP 56) after 2:17 hours of playing time and strong performance with 6: 2, 6: 7 (5), 7: 5. And then Neumayer (ATP 173) surprised with the 6: 3, 3: 6, 7: 6 (7) via Márton Fucsovics (ATP 59) after 2: 57-hour and no less remarkable fight. The Salzburger had jumped into the breach for Austria’s number one Filip Misolic, the Styrian (ATP 94) had to fit at short notice due to its cooling and even start home. The team of ÖTV sports director and davis-cup captain Jürgen Melzer is still just a step away from writing Austrian tennis history, for the first time since 2012 to move into the world’s eight best nations and therefore open from November 18 to 23 at the final tournament in Bologna. The decision could even be made during the doubles on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. In this, the Lower Austrian Lucas Miedler (ATP double 28) and the Tyrolean Alexander Erler (ATP double 41) go against the hosts, in whom Marozsán (ATP-Doppel 344) and Zsombor Piros (ATP double 1107) were previously. But there would also be two more chances: Afterwards the third individual between Neumayer and Marozsán would be on the plan. And Rodionov and Fucsovics would run in the all -crucial fifth game. Orf Sport+ and ÖTV TV at www.oetv.tv broadcast live.

Impressive morality: Rodionov pulls head out of the noose

Rodionov was unimpressed by the bad news of the failure of Misolic and initially headed for a clear two-set victory in the opening game. The 26-year-old clearly stuck the tone in the first round, moved from 0: 1 to 5: 1 with set ball to 6: 1, but then had to be sustained, but did so confidently. And the sovereign, low-error appearance of the red-white-red left-hander continued cheerfully, at zero he took the service again at the beginning of the second section. He held this lead for a long time before Marozsán increasingly increased, finally increased, finally to be zero to 4: 4 and could still secure the sentence in the tie-break after 0: 3 deficit. And when Rodionov could not use a break chance at 1-0 in the third round and shortly afterwards against his and unleashed opponent at 1: 3 and 15:40, the match almost seemed almost lost. But Rodionov showed enormous morality, also fought off a third break ball, struck back to 3: 3 in the next game and got upper water again.

Rodionov’s huge spirit of fighting, who grown over the hard court with full effort, finally paid off in the finish when Marozsán wobbled again. At 6: 5 and 30:30, the Hungarian served him the first match ball, which Rodionov was awarded. The second no longer: he cheered up in relief-and concluded with ÖTV sports director and davis-cup captain Jürgen Melzer on the bench and the other team members. Rodionov made no secret of how difficult this coup weighs in the Davis Cup for him, “in such an important match. We all want to go to Bologna, and I did the first point – especially against such an opponent on such a match. That was a real roller coaster ride, everyone could have won the match.” It is absolutely its most beautiful victory in a country fight, especially when you consider “how the game went and that I managed to somehow turn it and win it. This match will definitely be remembered for a very long time.”

Neumayer follows up after incredible nerve thriller

Neumayer then continued where Rodionov had previously stopped. With the 1-0 lead in the back, the three-time, reigning state champion played very big, knew Fucsovics in often intensive basic line rallies and to point out again and again. Those who had also celebrated the third ATP career title in Winston-Salem three weeks ago in Winston-Salem. But it was Neumayer who, in the first set over long distances, stated the tone, after the first break to 4: 2 by the post -moving Rebreak, did not let himself throw off the track, immediately added to the 5: 3 and sustained it dry. In the second round, only a service loss of the 23-year-old made the 1: 3, after hard-fought game, the difference to his disadvantage. When Neumayer even found the chance to win 4: 0 in the third section, the course made the course set to victory, but Fucsovics brought back into play with two close, won games. After a break to 6: 5, he even served on the match, but Neumayer countered and saved himself in the tie -break.

And the brief decision was also not to be beaten in terms of drama. Fucsovics made a first mini break to 5: 4, Neumayer suddenly won both return points, but left out the first match ball. And shortly afterwards the second. A gripping rally chased the next one in the finish – but of all places a double error of the physically more of the limit to 7: 8 meant the preliminary decision. At the third match ball, Neumayer closed the sack, was allowed to cheer about his star hour and his third victory in his third Davis Cup match-before the eyes of the ÖTV-Davis-Cup fan club, which was published with dozens of fans and the Austrian delegation with ÖTV Vice President Jürgen Roth, ÖTV managing director of the economy Thomas Schweda. Neumayer breathed through: “Now it is actually only relief – because I really delivered a really good match. It would have really hurt if I hadn’t got this point. I think the match was actually three sentences at a very good level,” he said. In the end “the little things then decide. In the end I am only extremely happy,” he beamed at the press conference, as well as captain Melzer. “I would have signed a 2-0 yesterday. I always said that we needed a perfect weekend so that we can travel to Bologna. We completed the first perfect day, we are still missing a point. We have three chances. I hope that we can close tomorrow,” said the Lower Austrian. And at the same time warned: “We now also have to be careful that we do not fall into too much euphoria because other games of 0: 2 have already been won – we have to be on the hat. But we are in a great starting position. Now we have the opportunity to really do this all the time.”

Davis Cup 2025, 2nd qualifying round in Debrecen

Hungary – Austria 0: 2

Friday, 3:00 p.m. (live on ORF Sport+ and ÖTV TV at www.oetv.tv)
Fábián Marozsán – Yuri Rodionov 2: 6, 7: 6 (5), 5: 7
Martin Fuchsovich – Lukas Neumayer 3: 6, 6: 3, 6: 7 (7)

Saturday, 11:00 a.m. (live on ORF Sport+ and ÖTV TV at www.oetv.tv)
Fabian Marozsan / Zsombor Red – Lucas Miedler / Alexander Erler
Fabian Marozsan – Lukas Neumayer
Martin Fuchsovich – Yuri Rodionov