Legner reaches final but misses home win in Groß-Siegharts

Tirol tennis veteran Martin Legner reached the final of the first Waldviertel Open wheelchair tennis tournament in Groß-Siegharts but lost to Malaysia’s Mohamad Yusshazwan Yusoff, ORF reported.

The tournament was held in the town of Groß-Siegharts in the Waidhofen an der Thaya district. Legner, a multiple Paralympic competitor, has taken part in every tournament there since 1990.

The higher-profile Austrian Open, now in its 37th edition, attracted 75 players from 30 countries. Competitors played for 35,000 dollars in prize money and valuable world ranking points.

Britain’s Dahnon Ward caused an upset in the men’s Austrian Open final by beating top seed and fellow Briton Ben Bartram, ranked 15th in the world, in straight sets. Ward is ranked 33rd.

Germany’s Britta Wend won the women’s title with a straight-sets victory over top seed Saki Takamuro of Japan.

Austria’s leading players had a difficult tournament. Christina Pesendorfer and Lena Lichtenegger of Traiskirchen were both eliminated in the first round. Maximilian Taucher reached the round of 16 after defeating Austria’s top-ranked player, Nico Langmann, in the opening round.

The tournament was supported by 160 volunteers. Players said the organisation and friendly atmosphere helped attract competitors from around the world. Algerian player Imane Toubal said she planned to return next year, while Israel’s Adam Berdichevsky compared the atmosphere to feeling at home.