Austria’s Davis Cup team confidently lived up to its role as favorite against Turkey. The Austrians won the World Group I duel, which lasted three days in Bad Waltersdorf due to the bad weather, 3-0 on Sunday. The decisive third point was won by the doubles team Alexander Erler/Lucas Miedler with a 6-3, 6-4 win against Altug Celikbilek/Yanki Erel. No further singles matches were played.
The ÖTV team did not lose a single set in the three matches on clay and is in the qualifying round, in which they will play for a place in the Davis Cup finals next February. On Friday, Jurij Rodionov won against Erel in two sets, while Lukas Neumayr’s match against Cem Ilkel was not completed until Saturday due to the vagaries of the weather.
Erler/Miedler also had to wait a long time for their turn on Sunday. After several postponements, the game started three and a half hours late in the early afternoon. Strong, gusty winds affected the game in the sparsely attended Sportaktivpark. However, the rain had stopped and the slow, wet pitch had dried out a little despite the cool conditions.
Erler/Miedler won the first set with ease after a decisive break to make it 4:2 after 31 minutes. The beginning of the second set was much more competitive, but Austria’s star doubles also broke the Turks’ serve to make it 4:3. Erler ended the match with an ace through the middle after 1:12 hours of play.
“It’s always cool to get the decisive point. Today, under the conditions, it feels even better,” said Miedler on ORF. It is always difficult to play in stormy and cold weather. “6:3, 6:4 is a great result,” said Erler. “Now we’re going to attack again in February.”
The ÖTV team said goodbye to the concert of the Davis Cup top nations in 2023. Thanks to confident victories in February in Ireland (4-0) and now against Turkey, which is also rated lower, they will be able to compete with the best teams again next year. The draw for the 2025 qualifying round will take place in two months as part of the Davis Cup final tournament in Malaga (November 19 to 24).
Next year, Jürgen Melzer will be back on the sidelines. Alexander Peya represented the ÖTV sports director, who had to undergo a minor operation after suffering from kidney colic, as Austria’s captain in Bad Waltersdorf. “I am overjoyed that we somehow managed to get through this complicated Davis Cup so successfully,” said the former world-class doubles player.
The 3-0 victory was “completely deserved,” said Peya. “Our players performed excellently and coped with the situations really well.” Despite the long waiting times, there was always a great atmosphere in the team. He himself was also happy with his interim role. “It was very short notice, but it was incredibly fun,” explained the 44-year-old. “To leave here with a 3-0 win is something special.”
2024-09-15 13:17:30