From a national matchup to the debut of the home heroes, here is the best of what the Vienna Major brings to you

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Doppler/Horst and Pedlow/Schachter will clash for the second time in 2018

After the women kicked off the main draw of the A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch on Wednesday, it’s time for the men to join the party as the top 32 teams start competing at the Danube Island on Thursday.

It will be a great to be around and with a lot of action taking place in each of the six courts of the venue, here are some of the games you won’t want to miss.

Who? Pedro/Bruno v Ricardo/Guto

Where? Court 4

When? 10.30am

Why? An all-Brazilian matchup will open Pool E as Pedro and Bruno enter the tournament looking for their first medals together while Ricardo and Guto, who won silver in Espinho, want to keep progressing in Vienna after amassing victories in the first three days of the tournament at the Danube Island. A victory in this match would probably also mean getting out of the way of Dutchmen Brouwer and Meeuwsen.

Who? Doppler/Horst v Pedlow/Schachter

Where? Red Bull Beach Arena

When? 11.30am

Why? The Silverboys will make their debut in the tournament in what is expected to be their first of several matches over the week and their home fans cannot wait to greet and support their local heroes. The Austrians will have to show their best to overcome the tough namesake Canadians, who beat them earlier this year in Fort Lauderdale and are looking to bounce back after three disappointing finishes in their last tournaments.

Who? Mol/Sørum v Winter/Hörl

Where? Red Bull Beach Arena

When? 12.30pm

Why? It will be the first opportunity to see the reigning European champions and the youngest team to win a Beach Major Series event competing in the Vienna Major and they will be faced with a tough task by playing the talented Austrians, who joined forces in 2018 and had two international semifinal appearances already. The Red Bull Beach Arena will get loud for this one.

Who? Hermannová/Sluková v Laboureur/Sude

Where? Red Bull Beach Arena

When? 1.30pm

Why? These teams have a long history as they’ve played each other six times in the last three years. The Czechs have the lead with four victories, but the Germans have been more consistent lately, winning two of the last three meetings, and won silver medals in their last two World Tour events, including the Gstaad Major.

Who? Pavan/Humana-Paredes v Kholomina/Makroguzova

Where? Court 4

When? 1.30pm

Why? The Canadians were surprised in the first day of the Vienna Major and lost one of their two matches and now will face the Russians, who won their second-straight Under-22 European title last week. Sarah and Melissa needed just two sets to take Kholomina and Makroguzova down the two times the teams met, including on their way to win gold in Gstaad, but the Russians have knocked world ranking leaders Wilkerson and Bansley, also from Canada, out of the tournament at the Danube Island.