World number two and 2014 Erste Bank Open champion Andy Murray along with Austrian hope Dominic Thiem have been confirmed for the newly appointed ATP 500 in Vienna. The 2016 Erste Bank Open will be held from October 22nd to the 30th.
Erste Bank Open tournament director Herwig Straka on Murray and Thiem returning
"Andy Muray has managed to even raise his level of play during the last couple of months. He strengthened his position as world number two with the title in Rome as well as by reaching the finals at the Australian Open and in Madrid. Murray is one of the big stars in the world of tennis and we are glad to welcome him in Vienna this year," said Erste Bank Open tournament director Herwig Straka.
Onto the next member of the top 10 come next Monday and Austria's best player since the great Thomas Muster, Straka said, "Dominic’s great results and titles in Buenos Aires, Acapulco and Nice led to a growing interest in tennis in Austria. There has already been a great demand for tickets. Dominic will open his Vienna campaign on Tuesday, which is now called Thiemstag," added Straka.
Murray and Thiem's past Vienna runs
Murray's only appearance in Vienna came two years ago in 2014, when he won the title in a thrilling final over defending champion David Ferrer 5-7, 6-2, 7-5. In 2014 the Brit used Vienna to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, but with the tournament replacing Valencia as an ATP 500 last year, Murray will be looking to take a big title ahead of the World Tour Finals in London.
Since Thiem has been the Austrian number one for the past four years, the 22-year-old has been playing in Vienna every year since he turned pro. After first round exits in 2011 and 2012, the Austrian made the quarterfinals in the capital in 2013, his best result at his home tournament. The past two years, Thiem has fallen in the opening round.