Also on Friday there were more than pleasing results from an Austrian point of view. In addition to the domestic number one Sebastian Ofner, local hero Lukas Neumayer also made it into the semi-finals. With musical accompaniment.
Those who came to the Salzburg Open in the Volksgarten on Friday were rewarded with tennis at the highest level. And with a lot of excitement. You could already feel it in Sebastian Ofner’s first game. It was hot in the crowded grandstands. In between, you didn’t know whether you were at a football or tennis game. The spectators were of course clearly on the side of the Austrian number one, but scratched the border of unsportsmanlike. Towards the end of the third set, a spectator called “Out”, which irritated Ofner’s opponent Nerman Fatic. He then received loud boos from the ranks. But the Styrian won: 4: 6, 7: 6, 7: 5! Celebrities were amazed. Numerous familiar faces did not miss the afternoon at the STC facility. In addition to “Krone” columnist Michaela Kirchgasser, skiers Stephanie Venier and Josef Ferstl, ZIB anchorman and tennis connoisseur Tobias Pötzelsberger was also there. Because Lukas Neumayer, who takes part in the tournament via wildcard, made it into the semi-finals! The man from Radstadt defeated the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, winner in 2022, in two sets 6: 4, 6: 4. “It’s the greatest success of my career,” said the 20-year-old, who, like Ofner, played with musical accompaniment. At the same time, a techno party took place in the adjoining park of the Volksgarten as part of the “5020 Festival”. “Actually, the music isn’t good for me at all,” Neumayer remarked. However, that was not reflected in the performance. On Saturday, the home side will face Slovenian Blaz Rola, who beat Filip Misolic 6:3, 6:3. Sebastian Ofner will face Argentinian Juan Manuel Cerundolo at 11 a.m. But even before the penultimate day of the tournament, one thing is certain: Salzburg is dreaming of the perfect final!
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