The Vienna Open also known as Erste Bank Open is the next ATP 500 tournament in what some are calling the most stacked draw of the season so far in Austria. Our preview looks ahead to the tournament and the main talking points.

Top seed is Daniil Medvedev who is defending champion, with Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner, Tommy Paul, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Ben Shelton also among those in action.

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DRAW 2023 Vienna Open features Ben Shelton - Jannik Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas - Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev - Arthur Fils

Stacked first-round draw including many popcorn ties

The reason many are calling out how stacked the draw is due to how many so-called popcorn clashes have been picked out from the line-up in Vienna.

Daniil Medvedev as defending champion for instance will begin his campaign against Arthur Fils, who is in the semi-finals in Antwerp. Even better could be the second tie as the winner faces Lorenzo Musetti or Grigor Dimitrov.

Stefanos Tsitsipas v Dominic Thiem after it didn't happen in Antwerp will happen in Vienna. While in the other side of the draw, Jannik Sinner will return.

Sinner didn't play Antwerp this past week despite initially being on the Entry List, but will likely face Ben Shelton. Likely is the word with that clash being picked out in particular on paper, but may not take place with Shelton in the final in Tokyo so the mad dash to Vienna might not be on the cards.

It is likely then he would face Francisco Cerundolo or Mackenzie McDonald. Other top ties include Frances Tiafoe v Dan Evans and Alexander Zverev could face Cameron Norrie in the second round.

In a section also lurking with Andrey Rublev who opens against Alexei Popyrin. Storylines in the first round and potential huge games in the second round too.

During this week, the tournament director admitted wanting Carlos Alcaraz, but being put off by the huge fee on offer and wanting density in the field and he has more than got that. Who comes out on top? Leave a comment below.

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ATP Prize Money and Points Breakdown 2023 Erste Bank Open Vienna with €2,409,835 on offer

Erste Bank Open

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🚨 MAIN DRAW IS OUT 🚨 Some 🔥 first-round matchups at #erstebankopen 2023 🎾💥 #ATPVienna #ATP500

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