Thiem, Sinner Looming For Medvedev In Vienna Draw

If Daniil Medvedev is to win his second title of the season at the Erste Bank Open, he will need to battle through a daunting path of tough opponents.

Medvedev, who opens against three-time ATP 500 titlist Nikoloz Basilashvili, could face resurgent former World No. 3 Dominic Thiem and sixth seed in the second round and Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.

Thiem will need to bring his best tennis to make it to a potential clash against Medvedev, as the 2019 Vienna champion will play American Tommy Paul in the first round.

There are plenty of intriguing first-round clashes that carry implications on the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin. Rublev, who is sixth in the Live Race, will play former Top 10 star Diego Schwartzman. Rublev leads their ATP Head2Head series 2-1.

Hubert Hurkacz, who is ninth in the Live Race, will need to be sharp against in-form American Frances Tiafoe. They have split their four ATP Head2Head meetings, but Tiafoe carries momentum from his runs to the US Open semi-finals and the Tokyo final.

Eighth seed Matteo Berrettini found his form in Naples, but will need to make a quick turnaround in Vienna against Briton Daniel Evans. Berrettini has won both their previous showdowns, but those matches came on grass at Queen’s Club. The Italian will need to navigate Evans’ tricky game, full of spin and angles.