Sorger narrowly misses upset at Erste Bank Open

Sebastian Sorger (ATP-372) has missed out on advancing to the second round of qualification at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.

The 20-year-old Austrian Tennis Association player lost to Hungarian Fabian Marozsan after winning the first set with scores of 6:3, 4:6, 4:6. Sorger, who is participating in the ATP 500 tournament's qualification thanks to a wildcard, put up a spirited fight against the world No. 64.

Sorger surprises in first set

The player from Graz started the match strongly and broke Marozsan for the first time at 1:1. Two double faults, however, brought the Hungarian back into the game, who leveled the score at 3:3 with a rebreak.

Sorger was undeterred by this and immediately struck back. With another break to make it 4:3, the Austrian regained the lead. Despite being 0:40 down at 5:3, he even managed another break, surprisingly winning the first set 6:3.

Marozsan prevents upset

In the second set, Sorger continued to challenge the favorite on equal terms. Marozsan, however, managed the decisive break, which was enough for the 27-year-old to level the match at 6:4.

Sorger also put up a good fight in the deciding set. However, at 2:2, the player from Graz lost his serve without winning a point. Marozsan thus took a 3:2 lead and did not relinquish it.

At 3:4, Sorger had two more break chances, which Marozsan, however, was able to save. The Hungarian thus also won the third set 6:4, preventing a major upset.

Rodionov already in main draw

With this, Sorger's qualification campaign in Vienna ends after the first round. Joel Schwärzler has also already been eliminated.

With Jurij Rodionov, at least one Austrian is already confirmed in the main draw. Lukas Neumayer still has a chance to secure a spot in the main draw in the second qualification round.