Salzburg Open

Neumayer marches into the round of 16 at home

Lukas Neumayer is in the round of 16 at the Sparkasse Salzburg Open.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Local hero Neumayer advanced to the round of 16 at the Sparkasse Salzburg Open after a clear two-set victory. However, hopeful Joel Schwärzler had to bow out in front of a prominent onlooker. Filip Misolic was also eliminated from his home tournament. 

The center court at the Sparkasse Salzburg Open mutated into a sweltering oven on Tuesday. However, local hero Lukas Neumayer was not affected by temperatures above 30 degrees. The 21-year-old beat Frenchman Manuel Guinard 6:3 and 6:2 in the first round. "I did it more with fighting spirit and a good mental performance," summed up the man from Pongau, who changed his shirt after the first set due to the heat. "That was incredibly wet." Otherwise, however, Neumayer was self-critical. "I'm not satisfied with my game yet."

He expects a "leap forward" in the round of 16 on Thursday against Argentina's Tirante.

"Could have played better"
Joel Schwärzler, meanwhile, did not get off the mark. The protégé of former world-class player Jürgen Melzer had to retire after losing 2:6, 3:6 to Swiss player Marc-Andrea Hüsler.

Schwärzler was not feeling quite fit and was struggling with the after-effects of an illness. "But I certainly could have played better," said Austria's great hope for the future, who is playing doubles with Philipp Oswald today. 

Patrick Wimmer had come with his wife Sarah to see Joel Schwärzler.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

But the Austrian hope for the future lost his opening match in the Volksgarten.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

The Vorarlberg native had a celebrity crossing his fingers during his appearance. ÖFB footballer Patrick Wimmer was there with his wife Sarah. Salzburg is the offensive player's adopted home and he himself is an enthusiastic tennis player.

State champion Filip Misolic had already been eliminated at lunchtime after losing to Poland's Kasnikowski in two sets (4:6, 2:6).