At 5: 3, Zverev decided at the right moment for the challenge. The video evidence showed that Khachanov’s ball hit the line as close as possible. A devious volley from the opponent secured Zverev the first set.
“You’re sure to have silver, now bring home gold for Germany!”, The German tennis legend Boris Becker had given the finalist in a Eurosport greeting message. Becker wished Zverev something that he had not been able to do himself: he had won Olympic gold in doubles alongside Michael Stich in 1992.
Quick break in the second set
Zverev continued emotionally. When he got the 1-0 in the second set with a backhand along the line from the distress, the 1.98-meter-tall right-hander screamed the tension out. When the quick break followed, Zverev showed his fist – also as if he wanted to confirm that he no longer wanted to miss this chance. “I think he’s enjoying it now. If you don’t enjoy tennis now, you never enjoy it, ”said Alexander Zverev’s older brother and manager Mischa Zverev at Eurosport.
Unlike in his insane win against Djokovic, Zverev was the favorite this time. The 25-year-old Khachanov occupies 25th place in the world, so he is 20 ranks worse than Zverev. Even to 4-0, Zverev, who played better and more liberated, took the serve from his opponent. After 1:19 hours he transformed his first match ball.
