Windischberger needs to beat Rykowski to win the World Tour Race
Over 130 players from 20 countries will meet in Vienna this weekend. The elite draws for the 12. Austrian Open – World Tour Finals presented by GRAWE sidebyside were done live and can be viewed here. Christine Seehofer did the ECO SECURE Men Elite draw and did not make her team mate Lukas Windischberger happy, with Rav Rykowski his opponent in the first round. “I am a little injured, but I really want to win this first match against the reigning European Champion in order to win the World Tour Race”, says Windischberger. Number two seed Emanuel Schöpf faces Michael Horacek in his first match. “Every match in such a strong tournament is difficult. If I win the first round, a lot is possible”, says Schöpf. The other two seeds Duncan Stahl (3) and Luka Penttinen (4) are looking for their spot in the semifinals, with no less than three French newcomers the biggest threats. Wildcards went to Mario Gruber (Aut) and Mikael Rehn (Swe).
Seehofer already won the World Tour Race, Ahlmer chance for runner-up
In the BMS Women Elite draw it looks like impossible anyone can beat World Champion Christine Seehofer. The world number one has not lost a match the whole year. Second seed Anna-Klara Ahlmer is looking for a place in the final in order to finish the year as runner-up on the World Tour Race. Seehoer is also top seeded with her sister Elisabeth in the VICTORIA AWARDS Women Elite Doubles and with Lukas Windischberger in the VIENNA SPORTHOTEL Mixed Doubles. The HARING-GROUP Men Elite Doubles will probably see a final between top seeds Stoisser/Windischberger and Middleton/Stahl.
Afghanistan Racketlon team challenges World Champion
With the help of Racketlon Federation Austria, the Afghan Racketlon Federation was founded in exile in Vienna. The Afghan national team will now hold their first official national team match versus world champion Austria on Saturday 17:00, with national TV broadcasting. “15 years ago Austria lost their first match versus world champion Sweden in Vienna”, remembers Weigl.
Friday 23. November
DOUBLES DAY –Start 9:00
SINGLES START – Start 17:00
Saturday 24. November
SINGLES DAY – Start 9:00
VIP-DAY – Start 16:00
NATIONALTEAM GAME Afghanistan – Austria – Start 17:00
MEN ELITE SEMIFINALS – Start 18:00
DOUBLES FINAL – Start 19:00
PRICE WINNING CEREMONY of all finished draws – Approx. 20:00
PLAYER’S DINNER – 20:30 at the venue Tennispoint Vienna
PLAYERS PARTY – 23:00 U4 disco
Sunday 25. November
FINALS DAY – Start 9:00
WOMEN ELITE FINAL – Start 12:00
MEN ELITE FINAL – Start 13:00
PRIZE WINNING CEREMONY – Approx. 14:30
Marcel Weigl / Tournament Director
