Luciano Darderi defeated Dominic Thiem 7–6, 6–2 in the first round of the ATP 250 Vienna event on hard court, confirming his pre-match favourite status with odds of 1.56 against Thiem's 2.59. The Italian secured a tight opening set via tiebreak before establishing control in the second, breaking clear to seal a decisive victory. Thiem, competing on home soil in Austria, struggled to impose his game and failed to capitalise on break opportunities in the opening frame. Darderi's composed performance, particularly his composure in the tiebreak, underscored his superior form heading into the tournament's latter stages.