Self-critical Zverev rounds off a successful German start
As of 2:33 p.m
One lap further in Melbourne: Alexander Zverev
Source: dpa/Frank Molter
Alexander Zverev started his Major Triumph project without losing a sentence. The Hamburger won his first round match at the Australian Open against a compatriot. Otherwise, the German gentlemen collected several victories.
AIn the end, Alexander Zverev had to go into extra time again. He led 6: 5 in the third round with a 2-0 set lead and had earned three break balls to advance to the second round of the Australian Open. However, his opponent, compatriot Daniel Altmaier, fought, came close to 40:40 and after three deuces and another match point saved, even saved himself in the tie-break.
A small extra round for the tournament co-favourites, who then dominated the decision with 7:1 and finally prevailed after 2:38 hours with 7:6, 6:1, 7:6. “All in all a good match. It wasn’t the perfect match, but it was a good match,” expert Boris Becker classified the performance of the German number one on the “Eurosport” microphone.
The Olympic champion started without losing a set, but also without top form and rounded off a successful first day for the German tennis men. “You will not always play your best tennis. It was a good match for me to get into the tournament and hopefully the next one will be better,” said Zverev after the evening’s performance in the Rod Laver Arena and admitted: “Not much went according to plan, except that I have won. It’s the first round of what will hopefully be a long tournament. I didn’t play perfect, but I’m through. An achievement to build on. It wasn’t a brilliant achievement, no question. I have to start playing better.”
The next opportunity to do so is on Wednesday. Then the number three in the world has to deal with John Millman. Zverev has played against the Australian twice so far, won twice – but at the French Open 2019 he only fought his way through in five sets.
But Zverev has the greatest ambitions for Down Under: In just under two weeks, the Hamburger would love to celebrate his first Grand Slam title in the Rod Laver Arena. After Melbourne record champion Novak Djokovic was forced to leave Australia, Zverev is the best-placed professional in the top half of the table – and could benefit from the court decision against Djokovic.
Prevented defending champion: Novak Djokovic misses the Australian Open
Source: dpa/Carl Recine
In the first encounter with Altmaier, Zverev found it difficult to get into the match. Anyone who thought the 2020 Melbourne semi-finalists would dominate the game from the start was wrong. Only in the tie-break was the German number one the better player – and deserved a win. Altmaier is 87th in the world rankings, surprised by reaching the round of 16 at the French Open in 2020 and is now appearing at the Australian Open for the first time.
In the second set, Zverev was in a hurry: to make it 1-0 and 3-0, he took the service games from his opponent who was a year younger. When he made an unnecessary mistake and Altmaier shortened to 1:4, he dropped the bat, but shortly afterwards got the next break.
In the third set, the 2020 US Open finalist endured a tricky situation as he conceded a break and was 3-2 behind. But Zverev avoided a longer tennis evening that would have caused a set loss: He missed three breakballs in a row, but equalized to 4: 4 – and characteristically shook his head.
Bright spots Koepfer, Hanfmann, Otte
With wins at the start, Dominik Koepfer, who progressed despite arm problems, as well as Oscar Otte and Yannick Hanfmann provided bright spots. Hanfmann in particular can now look forward to a real highlight thanks to his first win in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament: the duel with Spanish top star Rafael Nadal will secure him a match in one of the top places.
“I said last time, I’m going in there to win and then I was pretty, not beaten up, but pretty much shot down,” said the Karlsruher, referring to his encounter with Nadal at the French Open 2019. Maybe this time he’ll say he wants to play “great balls” and “tight sentences”.
Now against Nadal: Qualifier Yannik Hanfmann celebrates his victory
Source: dpa/Frank Molter
Smoothly 6: 2, 6: 3, 6: 2 he asserted himself in round one against the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was in good form recently. “I still have the images in my head,” he enthused about the atmosphere: “We came onto the pitch and it was deafening noise. We both looked around and thought, “What’s going on here?” It felt like a Davis Cup atmosphere.”
Andrea Petkovic formed a contrast to the happy Hanfmann. “It’s just a terrible day for me today,” the Darmstadt native complained after her chanceless performance and 2: 6, 0: 6 against the Czech French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova. “Today was the first day in two months that went like this. But that just goes to show that the tennis gods never cease to amaze.”
Because Tatjana Maria also lost 4: 6, 6: 7 (2: 7) against the Greek Maria Sakkari despite a good performance, only Angelique Kerber can prevent the women from being completely disillusioned. In any case, there were only three German players in the main field. Kerber intervened in the tournament on Tuesday.
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