Opportunities missed

Schwärzler already out in qualifying in Milan

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The ATP Challenger tournament in the Italian fashion metropolis of Milan did not go according to plan for Joel Schwärzler. The youngster missed numerous chances in the first qualifying round against Italy's Raul Brancaccio and was ultimately beaten 7:5, 4:6, 0:6.

After the 18-year-old's qualifying first round match against local hero Raul Brancaccio (ATP no. 377) had to be stopped on Sunday after a break due to rain at 1:2 in the first set, the Vorarlberg native fell behind 1:3 on Monday morning. But the ÖTV youngster remained relaxed and quickly levelled the score at 3:3. However, he was immediately broken again by the 27-year-old Italian, who then pulled away to 5:3. But Joel held his nerve again and secured the first set 7:5 after 58 minutes of play with four games in a row.

Maximum punishment for Joel
In the second set, Schwärzler had two break points at 2:1 and 3:2 - but failed to capitalize on them. It was a different story for Brancaccio, who took his first chance, made it 4:3 and took the set 6:4. This was the end of the road for Austria's hope for the future, who suffered the maximum penalty in the deciding set with a 0:6 loss.

Grabher in action in Switzerland
While Joel can already prepare for next week's national championships in Oberpullendorf, Julia Grabher from Dornbirn is still in action at the ITF W35 tournament in Klosters (Sz) from Tuesday.