ATP 500 Vienna: players to follow in the Austrian tournament
by Cydias Aujard | by Cydias Aujard
ATP Vienna: an opportunity for Sinner
The number one seed in this tournament and the clear favourite in our ATP Vienna predictions is, unsurprisingly, world number two Jannik Sinner! The Austrian public has already had the chance to appreciate the Italian player's talent, as he won the tournament title against Daniil Medvedev in 2023.
With three titles won this season, at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and Beijing, the 24-year-old has nevertheless experienced some disappointment at the end of the season. Having lost his place at the top of the men's tennis rankings in early September to his great rival Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner failed to defend his title at the US Open, losing in four sets to the Spaniard.
Having just played in the Shanghai tournament, where he was the defending champion, his run was unfortunately not as promising as he might have hoped, as he was struck by cramps and had to retire in the round of 16 against Tallon Grieskpoor. However, his two victories at the Six Kings Slam against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic are proof of the Italian's good form, and he should be ready to fight for yet another title before the end of the season.
A vital comeback for the German
Alexander Zverev, seeded number 2, seems to be struggling lately, having lost 60% of his last 10 matches. With only one title won this season, on the clay courts of Munich, the German should arrive with high hopes for this tournament in Vienna, as he already had the chance to raise his arms in victory in front of the Austrian crowd in his final against Frances Tiafoe in 2021.
While another title seems hard to hope for, victory in the early rounds should be well within reach (see our tennis previews for analysis). He will face a qualifier in the round of 32, and a quick first win in which he shows his dominance will be necessary for his confidence and for the rest of his season.
A possible rebirth for the Russian
Karen Khachanov is trying his luck again in this tournament. Last season's finalist against Jack Draper, the 29-year-old failed to defend his title at the Almaty tournament last week, losing in the first round to J. L. Struff.
This defeat adds a fourth consecutive loss to the Russian player's recent record. That's why we might expect him to show some pride in this Austrian tournament, with a victory that would allow him to regain confidence in his first round against Tallon Grieskpoor, who was also stopped in the first round in Stockholm last week.
