Erste Bank Open 2023: After Falco, Zverev now gets Blondie
Alexander Zverev will meet Sebastian Ofner for the third time, this time at the start of the Erste Bank Open 2023 in Vienna (live on ServusTV from 5:30 p.m.). The German is the favorite - but not as much as in previous matches.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Oct 22, 2023, 09:39 pm
In 2017, Sebastian Ofner once said during his successful run this year, more happened to him than he had really planned. 2017 - that was the season when the Styrian suddenly appeared on the scene, at Wimbledon after qualifying, Thomaz Bellucci also eliminated Jack Sock, and then found his master in Alexander Zverev. At that time, Ofner had slicked his hair back quite severely over the years, and a connection was quickly established with the great Hans Hölzel, who was known and appreciated outside Austria as Falco.
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Long time ago. And when Alexander Zverev and Sebastian Ofner face each other for the third time this Monday in the Wiener Stadthalle (live from 5:30 p.m. on ServusTV and in our live ticker), then at least a small part of the attention will again go to the local hero's hairstyle . For a few days now, Ofner has been going hydrogen blonde because of a lost bet. On the other hand, Alexander Zverev also has a betting debt to pay - which means that the German hasn't cut his hair for months.
Zverev against Ofner for the third time
But good: There is no casting for the most interesting man on the ATP tour, but rather a sporting comparison in which the conditions are no longer quite as clear as in the previous two matches between Alexander Zverev and Sebastian Ofner. It is clear that Zverev starts as the favorite. In contrast to Wimbledon 2017 and Roland Garros 2022, today the two-time ATP world champion is dealing with an Ofner who is completely healthy and well rested. And which has found its place among the top 50 in the world.
This has been Zverev's natural habitat for many years. But the demands in the comeback season are of course different. It should be a place at the ATP Finals, at the moment things are looking very good in this regard. Especially since the competition is weakening badly. And over the past few years, Zverev has always been there when it mattered most. But Sebastian Ofner has nothing to lose, especially with the audience behind him. Alexander Zverev also earned his favor - with his tournament victory in the Stadthalle in 2021.
So it will be a real highlight that the fans will get to see on the first day.
Here is the individual tableau in Vienna
Viennamap