Antwerp, Saturday 12 October 2024 – Saturday’s draw for the ninth edition of the European Open was held. ‘It promises to be an exciting tournament. It is difficult to predict who will advance,’ tournament director Dick Norman looked ahead.
It was the innocent hand of Alexander Blockx that helped determine who came out of the box. An attractive draw, with the Belgians avoiding each other in the first round. It is looking forward to home player Zizou Bergs (ATP-73), who will take on Argentinian Diaz Acosta Facundo (ATP-59) on Tuesday 15 October 2024.
In turn, Raphael Collignon (ATP-164) will take on Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (ATP-87), which will be an immediately challenging match for the Liège player. Alexander Blockx himself will open the tournament against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.(ATP-62) ‘There are no easy matches. It will be a matter of giving my best every match,’ Blockx complemented.
In addition, the match of our northern neighbour Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP-67) also stands out. He immediately takes on American and eighth-ranked Marcos Giron (ATP-47).
There will undoubtedly be a warm welcome for Frenchman Richard Gasquet (ATP-133), the ex-winner who descends to Antwerp for the last time and will battle Argentinean and sixth series leader Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ATP-37) in the first round.
Tournament director Dick Norman: The draw for the European Open has produced an exciting field with some eye-catching confrontations. Of course, our eyes turn quickly to the Belgians. It promises to be an exciting tournament in which it is difficult to predict who will eventually advance. It is positive, though, that the Belgians are still avoiding each other in the first round; let’s hope they only face each other later in the tournament.’