betprepare.com

Haider-Maurer has leg problems

Andreas had injury issues in the last two tournaments. He managed to finish one, but lost 0-6 in the third set, and last week, he forfeited. Melzer isn't in the form he was in when the year started, and Haider-Maurer's readiness will give lots of answers

Getty Images

Two things were always known about Haider-Maurer. First, he's a great player. Second, he's a bit "crazy". All that, and much more, we could see in the last two months. The Austrian played his best tennis this year. Great performances, two Grand Slam wins, two challenger semifinals and one challenger finals, he got back to Top 100. It all seemed like sugar and spice until the challenger in Poznan.

He was defending the title there, lost to Pavlasek, but something strange and controversial happened. The Austrian was losing 0-5 in the third set, he served, and didn't jump at all during his service. His last service sent the ball to the stratosphere. Behavior to be ashamed of, for sure. But, Haider-Maurer complained about an injury later, saying he tried everything and most of the players would forfeit that match long ago, while he played it till the end...

- I should've stopped playing right after the first set, but I didn't. I was trying till the last game. Yes, I got crazy in the last service game, but I tried everything I could until then. Other players wouldn't even go out to the court - Haider-Maurer defended himself and added:

- It troubled me the whole week and of course I was limited. Especially when serving, because if not, I wouldn't have made 12 double errors. Also, I couldn't run as fast as I wanted, but I'm taking therapy now to get a treatment. 

But, the treatment obviously didn't work. He played against Struff in Gstaad last week, but had to forfeit after losing the first set because of his left leg. That didn't sound nice before Kitzbuhel at all. Since he was defending points in the last two tournaments, and didn't manage to do it, Haider-Maurer got eliminated from the Top 100 again. Things don't look as good as they did in the last two months when he played a great tennis. Especially with his leg which obviously seems to be a problem.

- I'm especially glad that we'll have both Melzer brothers in the lot this year. A lot of it connects them to Kitzbuhel, both spend time on these courts, and we're really glad they're here - tournament director said. 

The younger Melzer is playing a great season this year. Even though even he had ups and downs, you can't deny that. He won his first challenger, played three semifinals, but you can't deny he had a fall lately regarding his results. He failed in the Roland Garros qualifiers, and then lost in the second rounds of the two challengers he played. 

As for his recent form, he played two ATP qualifiers. He was stopped by Gimeno-Traver in Hamburg, and he managed to pass in Gstaad. True, he had luck with his lot, and was a big favorite in all three matches. However, he couldn't pass the first round and Bellucci.

He got an invite here, and is playing his fourth ATP main lot. Realistically, the Austrians are a really good lot for each other. Even though in "normal" circumstances Haider-Maurer would be a much bigger favorite than he is, Andreas is having injury issues and this could be the darkest time for him this year.

- After I finished my qualifiers road last year, I'm glad I'm in the main lot of Kitzbuhel for the first time in my career. Unfortunately, I didn't fight for it, but I'm proud and thankful that the organizers awarded me with an invite for what I showed this year. Kitzbuhel is special and I look forward to playing here - Melzer said. He's been on Kitzbuhel clay courts for some time.