Chilean Davis Cup Team Captain Nicolas Massu insists his side isnt taking the Austrians for granted despite the absence of 2018 French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem. Thiem, ranked at No. 8 in the world, wanted to help Austria to beat Chile in a Davis Cup qualifying for but withdrew from the tie after being by his doctors to skip the Davis Cup and next weeks ATP Cordoba.
Previously, Thiems Australian Open campaign ended on a disappointing way as he was forced to retire his second round match due to fatigue. Meanwhile, Austria and Chile are tied at 1-1 after the opening day of Davis Cup on an indoor-clay surface in Salzurg.
Chiles Nicolas Jarry beat 19-year-old Jurij Rodionov in the opening rubber of the tie, before Austrian Dennis Novak beat Christian Garin in the following rubber of the tie. Jarry, ranked at No. 41 in the world, beat debutant Rodionov in two tight sets 7-5 7-5.
World No. 154 Novak then came up big for the hosts as he beat 95th-ranked Garin 6-4 6-4. Ive been asked so many times about Dominic Thiem, but we knew its still a tough tie. We are patriots and we will fight until the last point to get to Madrid, Massu said, per Lukas Zahrer.
Austrias Oliver Marach and Jurgen Melzer are due to meet Chiles Julio Peralta and Hans-Podlipnik Castillo in the doubles rubber, before the reverse singles. Also read: Richard Gasquet pulls out of Rotterdam
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