What a great fight!
Tennis star Alexander Zverev (25) is in the 2nd round of the Australian Open drafted. The Olympic champion won against the unknown Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas (27) after 4:06 hours 4: 6, 6: 1, 5: 7, 7: 6, 6: 4. “This is my favorite Grand Slam,” beamed the winner after the game.
After seven months without a match after the injury at the French Open against Rafael Nadal (36) and the disappointments at the United Cup in Sydney, Hamburg got off to a bumpy start. It was not apparent that the South American only played six of the 80 games he played in 2022 on hard court.
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The outsider even took control from the middle of the first set. In the long seventh game, Zverev even had to fend off two breakballs when the score was 3: 3. But in the next service game the time had come: he actually lost his service and had to give up the first set 4:6 after 54 minutes.
But that seemed to have been the signal for the storm. Because like transformed, the Olympic champion went into the second round and showed that Tennis what he expects of himself. The speed in the serves was back, along with the baseline shots being placed. Simply everything that didn’t work before.
Zverev got the set 6: 1 and didn’t let go anymore. A break at the beginning of the third set paved the way for the second round on Thursday. Seemingly! Because as suddenly as he ignited the turbo after the first set, so unexpectedly everything was gone again after the 2-0 in the third.
Varillas fought back and convinced with some unbelievable shots that left Zverev amazed. Above all, the stops are one of his strengths, which drove the German to despair. Nevertheless, there was a chance to win the set several times, but in the end the two-time world champion lost out: 5:7.
Looking into the void: Alexander Zverev was not satisfied with his performance
Girlfriend experienced in the box Sophia Thomalla (33) with the drama. She sat between coach Mikhail Ledowskich and physio Hugo Gravil and kept cheering on her boyfriend. Until then mostly in vain. Also two sentences: ex-basketball star Dirk Nowitzki (44). He had it with him last week Zverev trains for fun.
He was there in the second and third round, then he left. “Now I’m looking at Andy Murray’s fifth sentence,” said Nowitzki, who was on vacation in Australia with his family and is flying back home on Wednesday. But he came back for the crucial passage.
Alexander Zverev was rarely able to show his powerful punches. You could tell he had a seven-month break
The thriller then continued. The game was gripping, which was not to be expected in advance. Zverev didn’t use several break chances and in the end simply didn’t have the stamina to bring his opponent to his knees. After a huge fight and with strong serves, Zverev jumped off the shovel again and won the tie-breaker 7: 3.
And the tension didn’t let up. Meanwhile, the game degenerated into a real battle. Both brought their service games through to 5: 4 for Zverev, who always had to submit. Then the break into happiness. “I’m extremely tired, but I missed that feeling. I’m so happy to be back on the pitch,” he said. “The tournament alone is a success for me.”
Alexander Zverev found it difficult to control his racket
He has no expectations after this success. “It was my first match at a Grand Slam after my return. Juan played the game of his life, he can still be a very dangerous opponent for many,” said Zverev.
Because of the heat in Melbourne, the game took place with the roof closed in the Margaret Court Arena, so Zverev was not affected by the game interruptions on the outdoor courts. His game was originally scheduled for Court 1573, the largest unroofed pitch, but was moved indoors after Australian Nick Kyrgios (28) retired due to injury. But in the end nothing helped.
