The encounter will open with the match between Yosuke Watanuki and Sebastian Ofner, according to the draw on Thursday. Then Shintaro Mochizuki and Jurij Rodionov meet. In the doubles match, which will be played on Saturday, the duos Yosuke Watanuki/Takeru Yuzuki and Alexander Erler/Lucas Miedler will face each other. Depending on the score, the international match ends with the games Mochizuki – Ofner and Watanuki – Rodionov.
As the third ÖTV individual player, Lukas Neumayer is currently only in the reserve role. “Actually, all three trained very well. It’s often a gut feeling that I chose Ofner and Rodionov in this case,” said ÖTV team captain Jürgen Melzer.
“Jurij has already won a lot of matches this year, and you can also see that he has self-confidence. And with Sebastian, he had a really good week of training, and a player of his class can be important on a weekend like this.” He was not surprised by his opponents; the injury-plagued former world number four Kei Nishikori is not scheduled for the time being.
First and fourth duel
Ofner is facing Watanuki, who is in position 166 in the ranking, for the first time. “He can play really well. I really have to concentrate on myself and my game – and make sure that I give him as little chance as possible to take over,” said the 29-year-old.
Rodionov, on the other hand, faced Mochizuki three times in 2025 and only won once. In terms of ranking, he is also an outsider as 170th against number 108. “It will definitely be a tough game. He will definitely have the home advantage, but I am confident that I will play well. I expect a very even game in which a few points in each set will be at stake,” said the 26-year-old.
Guests were received coolly
After arriving early, the players adapted well to the conditions in the Ariake Coliseum. The training initially took place in an unusually cold hall.
“The hard court is a bit slower than expected. That may also be because it is relatively cold in the hall,” explained Melzer. One morning it was only eleven degrees. After asking the international tennis association, the heating was activated and you could train at 18 degrees. “Otherwise the conditions are completely fine, it’s a fair surface.”
The rubber and balls are provided by Ofner and Co.
Around 4,000 fans are expected in the hall. Both the surface and balls, which are determined by the host, belong to the ÖTV team. “Our boys are finding their way around here well. Our goal is and remains that we qualify for the next round.” The first two singles will take place on Friday and the doubles will begin on Saturday. Depending on the status, one or two more singles will follow.
What will happen after Tokyo is already partly clear. If Austria celebrates an away win, it will be on the 18th/19th. or 19th/20th September will definitely be at home against Bulgaria or Belgium. The winner will take part in the final in Bologna in November. If the ÖTV team loses, World Group I will continue on the same possible dates; the draw will take place on February 12th.
