Although the third in the world rankings got off to a good start in the new year, Zverev lost his surprising double effort. Together with Kevin Krawietz, the 24-year-old lost to Britons Jamie Murray and Daniel Evans 3: 6, 4: 6 in the decisive match. The Germans’ first group game at this team event ended with a 1: 2 against Great Britain.
Germany now needs British slip-ups
Zverev’s 7: 6 (7: 2), 6: 1 success against world number twelfth Cameron Norrie was too little. Because in addition to the doubles, Jan-Lennard Struff also lost out with a clear 1: 6, 2: 6 against Evans. For the German tennis men in Group C it is now a matter of making up for the opening defeat on Tuesday (00.00 a.m. / CET) against the USA and on Thursday against Canada (7.30 a.m. / CET).
In order to qualify for the semifinals, the selection of team boss Michael Kohlmann must also hope for a slip by the British. Only the four winners from the four groups of four will advance. With the ATP Cup, tennis professionals are preparing for the Australian Open starting January 17th in Melbourne. Zverev has set itself the goal of winning his first title there at one of the four most important tennis tournaments.
Zverev: “Done what I had to do”
Six weeks after his last win in 2021, with which he was the ATP Finals Having decided for himself, Zverev initially struggled with Norrie. Unlike at the end of the season in Turin, the Hamburger has not yet reached his best form in the individual. “It’s the first match of the season, it will never be the best match. I did what I had to do”, he said. Without his victory, the opening defeat would have already been determined after the individual.
23 unforced errors in the first sentence led to the German number one in the Tiebreak had to, which he won confidently. Previously, Zverev was in distress at 4-5 and had to fend off a set ball from Norrie. With the set lead, Zverev became safer, the second section clearly developed in his favor after the first break to 3: 1.
Surprisingly, Zverev then replaced the doubles specialist Tim Pütz at short notice and also competed in doubles. Unlike in the Davis Cup, when Pütz and Krawietz showed off together, there was nothing in it for the Germans this time. Krawietz did not play as well as in the Davis Cup, and Zverev was also annoyed about unnecessary mistakes. At the beginning of December, the German tennis men in the Davis Cup without the top player had reached the semi-finals with a surprising quarter-final victory against the British.
dpa
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Stand: 02.01.2022, 12:53
