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Muster gets lucky break in Vienna comeback

October 26, 2010 10:18 IST

Former world number one Thomas Muster, 43, returning to the ATP circuit after an 11-year absence, enjoyed a lucky break when first-round opponent Ernests Gulbis pulled out of the Vienna Open on Monday.

The Latvian, seeded fifth and ranked 24th in the world, was replaced by Muster's fellow Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer, a lucky loser ranked 157th.

Thomas Muster The two Austrians will meet on Tuesday.

Organisers said Gulbis withdrew for personal reasons.

Muster, French Open champion in 1995, was given a wildcard for the tournament.

Ranked 974th, former iron-man Muster began his comeback earlier this year in the lower-level Challenger Tour and has managed one win in seven outings, against Borut Puc in Slovenia last month.

The ATP said the Austrian would become the first 40-plus to compete in the main draw of an ATP tournament since Jimmy Connors played in Atlanta in 1996, also at 43.

"I'm looking forward to it enormously," Muster told local media. "I want to inspire the crowd with my fitness and fighting spirit.

"I'm fighting like in the good old times and I will give everything in front of the fans in Vienna."

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