Feliciano Lopez begins his campaign against Robin Haase in the first round of the Cup Kitzbuhel.
Lopez returned to competition last week in Gstaad after a three week hiatus. It has been a phenomenal month for the Spaniard who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals and inspired Spain to a memorable Davis Cup win over the United States.
However he was brought back down to earth at the Swiss Open where he crashed out 6-4, 7-5 in the quarters to Nicolas Almagro.
This week though, there is no Almagro and Lopez is the second seed. It will be one of his best opportunities to claim that elusive first clay-court title on the tour.
Although very inconsistent, Haase is a dangerous opponent as Marin Cilic found last week, needing three sets to see off the Dutchman in Umag. Earlier this week he took out the experienced Italian Potito Starace.
Lopez received a first round bye so will have to start quickly. He has beaten Haase once before but that was indoors in the Mons challenger five years ago.
