"That makes it more personal for me" - Rodionov's True Home Win

With the 1-0 lead, Jurij Rodionov takes the first step towards Bologna (to the match report >>>).

For the team leader, the Davis Cup opener in front of 3,500 spectators in Vienna's Prater was something very special. Against Gauthier Onclin, Rodionov was also considered a slight favorite.

A True Home Match

A situation he first had to adjust to: "We're playing in Vienna and at the WAC. These are all places that are very personal to me. I played for the WAC myself for many years. That's why it makes it all the more personal for me. This time I was simply the clear favorite and had to deliver."

Rodionov won the first set 6-4. However, its course was on a knife's edge for a long time.

The adopted Viennese looks back at the start of the match with mixed feelings: "Especially in the first set, I actually saved myself with my serve. I believe that without such a good serve, it would have been significantly more difficult. Some building blocks were there, but some were completely gone."

The 27-year-old's feeling is not deceiving. The adopted Viennese's good serve percentage, in particular, led to his success. A total of nine aces were recorded in the statistics at the end.

"It Doesn't Matter If I Played Well or Badly"

In the second set, the course was set for success early on, after the nervousness had dissipated: "Over the course of the second set, it got a bit better. Basically, of course, I have to play better when I play against Zizou Bergs tomorrow."

From an Austrian perspective, a planned 1-0 lead stands in the results after the first match. "It doesn't matter if I played badly and won, or if I played well and won. At the end of the day, it's 1-0 for Austria. That's the only thing that matters," summarizes the victorious Rodionov.

Rodionov could also rely on the numerous fans in Vienna's Prater. The atmosphere further boosted him: "The setting was excellent. Lately, I've been more used to playing indoors. It heats up a bit more there, and everything feels a bit closer. Now here at the WAC, an outdoor event, most of the noise goes up and out. It doesn't feel as enclosed. But with so many spectators - it definitely felt very, very good."

"I've Been a Pro Long Enough"

Tomorrow, Jurij Rodionov could play against Zizou Bergs. Will the slow clay court suit him, or will it be a disadvantage?

"It probably won't be a disadvantage, even if it's not the most positive thing for me right now. If there's one thing I'm good at on clay, it's more about playing with my forehand and hitting high spins. That's naturally suboptimal on slow clay. But today it was enough, even against a player who prefers playing on such clay. I've been a professional long enough. These are circumstances you can and must get used to."