Novak followed the next surprise following the initial success of 36-year-old Frenchman Gilles Simon (7: 6 / 5.1: 6.6: 3). In the duel with Lajovich, who were initially equipped with a walk, the two sets fought fiercely. The first set was 4: 4 after every two breaks. As the two servers later played their service games, the decision was made in a tie-break, which Novak won 7: 5.
The second half fell to Novak after a 5–3 break from Lajovich. Number 102 in the world. But a strong reaction appeared, with four games in a row brought about the turn and immediately used their first match point.
Novak was able to fight for defeat in the only duel with 27th place. – 2: 6.4: 6 in 2018 round of Kitzbel 16 – return the favor. For his first quarter final award since Cologne in October 2020, he would also return to the top 100 in the rankings. Novak never played against Gozovsk, but for the first time in the tournament, Klosternbueger would be the favorite by choice. The age of 31 is only number 144 in the world.
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