If Filip Misolic continues in this key, he will achieve his absolute breakthrough in the tennis circus in the foreseeable future. The only 20-year-old from Graz inspires the audience at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel – and if necessary, twice a day. Who would have thought that Misolic’s premiere in a main competition on the ATP tour would take on such dimensions?
At 11:10 a.m., the unleashed youngster defeated the Serb Dusan Lajovic (WRL No. 80) in the quarterfinals after 2: 6, 3: 5 behind with 2: 6, 7: 6 (5) and 6: 3. After a break of two and a quarter hours, Misolic again showed his best side – apart from inevitable signs of fatigue – and forced the German Dominic Thiem conqueror Yannick Hanfmann (WRL No. 140) into the tie-break of the decisive set, in which the rain was supposed to stop the romp .
One way or another, the overtime was worth it. Misolic is sure of 27,885 euros gross and 90 points, he will storm from 205th place in the world rankings into the top 160. “I’m enjoying my time here in Kitzbühel, it’s the best days of my life,” said Misolic.
The son of Croatian parents made the right decision at the age of twelve with foresight – for the yellow felt ball and against football. “As an individual sport, tennis somehow suited me better. Even then I wanted to become a professional,” says Misolic. “Fortunately, my parents gave me their full support.”
The effort paid off. In September 2021, Misolic appeared in the spotlight for the first time when he reached the quarterfinals of the home challenger in Tulln. Before that, he had worked his way up from no man’s land to 536th place in the ranking with four future tournament wins. Strong upward trend.
In May of this year, the youngster secured his first Challenger title in Zagreb, which paved the way to the next higher category, the ATP Tour. “He plays so incredibly cool, has the right tactics and huge potential,” says ServusTV expert Barbara Schett, once number seven in the world.
Misolic, who – like the great Roger Federer and Felix Auger-Aliassime – saw the light of day on August 8th, goes through his program unimpressed. The audience inspires him, in the Kitzbühel semifinals against Hanfmann there was a Davis Cup atmosphere.
“Always Austria”, chanted the 5800 tennis fans on the center court. Roberto Bautista Agut (Esp/3) had already done his job and secured a ticket for today’s final (2 p.m., ServusTV) with a 6:3, 7:6 (3) victory over Albert Ramos Vinolas (Esp/5). ) secured. (Alex)
Source: Nachrichten
