DAVIS CUP | THIEM AND OFNER GIVE AUSTRIA 2-0 LEAD AFTER DAY 1

Austria on the cusp of victory in Limerick after Dominic Thiem and Sebastian Ofner win opening singles

By Stephen Higgins | 3 February 2024

Austria are on track to win this weekend's Davis Cup Group 1 play-off after taking a 2-0 lead over Ireland at the University of Limerick Arena.

While Sebastian Ofner grabbed a comfortable 6-4 6-4 win over Osgar O'Hoisin, former world no.3 Dominic Thiem was given a proper fright by Michael Agwi in the opener before clinching it 7-6 6-3.

Agwi, who's ranked 935th in the world, used his powerful serve and tremendous athleticism to unsettle Thiem from the off. Supported by a vociferous Limerick crowd, the 20-year-old broke the former US Open champion twice in the first set and forced a tie-break.

Thiem, who was passive and unconvincing throughout the opening set, managed to stave off three set points in the tie-break before taking it 8-6.

The 30-year-old slowly grew into the occasion and struck early in the second set to take 3-0 lead over Agwi. Despite strong opposition from the Irishman, Thiem showed flashes of his quality with a few trademark one-handed backhand bullets.

Once in the ascendancy, the Austrian powered home to clinch the second set and give his nation the lead.

"First set was tight...I made an early break but then played a really bad game," said Thiem after the match."

"I think Michael as the underdog started to believe a little bit more and that first set got really tight. Luckily, I got the tie-break. The second set was solid but yeah, of course I'm relieved that I won it in two sets at the end."

In the second singles of the day, world no.40 Ofner was too strong from the off against O'Hoisin. While there was only a single service break in each set, the classy 27-year-old was always in control of proceedings.

O'Hoisin's powerful serve kept the match within reach, but Ofner's class eventually proved decisive.

"I think it was a very solid match," Ofner explained afterwards.

"I had one break each set. I was feeling very comfortable on my service games so I tried a little more on his service games. I felt pretty comfortable."

With a 2-0 lead in hand, Austria will hope to clinch the tie in the doubles. Top 40 pair Lucas Miedler and Alexander Erler will take on Ireland's Conor Gannon and David O'Hare before the reverse singles.

"The goal from today was to leave Saturday evening at 2-0," said Austrian captain Jurgen Melzer after the day's play.

"We have a 2-0 lead but all matches have to be played. Especially in doubles, anything can happen. But obviously we are going in as highly favoured [for Sunday]. Hopefully we can make that third point. That's why we are here. So let's see if that happens tomorrow."

Thanks to Breifne Holohan for sound assistance

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