MINSK, 7 April (BelTA) – Egor Gerasimov (ranked 263rd in the world) defeated Gerald Melzer (ranked 109th) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in the opening rubber of Belarus' Davis Cup second-round tie against Austria in Minsk on 7 April, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian looked confident and held nerve to secure the win in an hour and 23 minutes. This is Egor Gerasimov's second victory over much more experienced Gerald Melzer after he clinched the 6-4, 7-5 victory at the ATP Challenger in Saint Brieuc.
Friday's second singles rubber will be between Ilya Ivashko (172) and Jurgen Melzer (156).
Max Mirnyi (world's number 34 in the doubles) and Ilya Ivashko will contest Saturday's doubles rubber (8 April) against Alexander Peya (26th in the doubles) and Julian Knowle (81st in the doubles). Under the Davis Cup rules, team captains Vladimir Volchkov and Stefan Koubek may introduce substitutions after the first matchday. Yaroslav Shilo may take part as a substitute on Belarus' behalf. Two more singles rubbers are scheduled for Sunday, 9 April: Ilya Ivashko vs Gerald Melzer, Egor Gerasimov vs Jurgen Melzer. The entry is free.
Photo by Andrei Pokumeiko
