05.06.2018 18:44:58 | The third match on the Centre Court saw the defending champion Jiří Veselý against the qualifier Gianluca Mager of Italy. The Czech player clearly fulfilled his role of the favourite in an easy match. He won the first set after a single break and maintained the lead over the qualification winner by his aggressive game. “I expected the opponent to give me a harder time. I didn’t have to play any world-class tennis. However, any victory counts in my situation. I need such matches in order to return to the top,“ said Veselý after the match.
“He made many errors and I was serving quite well which made things much easier for me today.” Veselý had the match under control all the time but he admitted he was nervous. “I’m more nervous at home than at any other tournament. I miss matches and every victory helps me to relax. I set my mind on winning the fourth title here, which nobody has achieved so far. Of course, I shouldn’t think about it, but you just can’t get it out of your mind. You keep telling yourself that you won three times, so why wouldn’t you be able to add one more title,“ said Veselý. In the second round, he will meet Elias Ymer of Sweden who defeated Jan Šátral in three sets. Veselý is definitely not happy with his season so far. The final at the Challenger in Heilbronn and two quarter-finals at ATP tournaments in Istanbul and Auckland are not enough for the Czech player No. 2. “I believe I will break the bad luck here in Prostějov,“ said Veselý.
