Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber drive to Melbourne with a spectacular triumph and (almost) perfect preparation. As different as their expectations of the United Cup were, both of them turned out well.
by Daniel Müksch
last edited: January 8, 2024, 9:50 a.m
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When you compete in a team competition with a former number one and multiple Grand Slam winner and the current number six and reigning Olympic champion in men’s tennis, you can of course always make some calculations. At the United Cup in Sydney, many of the omens were so uncertain that Germany was not one of the top favorites Down Under. For example, final opponent Poland seemed more stable.
The fact that the German team was still able to secure the title speaks for the mentality of the team. And also for the unity of the team. How Laura Siegemund was able to deliver her performance in the mixed doubles to the point was impressive.
But the main focus was of course on the top duo Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev.
Zverev and Kerber: A good feeling twice
Of course, Kerber was only able to win one single. Nevertheless, she leaves Sydney feeling like it’s her turn. She has repeatedly shown good passages, but has to maintain them over the entire match. Then she can even be dangerous to Iga Swiatek. The Kiel native couldn’t expect much more after her mom comeback.
For her male counterpart Alexander Zverev, it was about getting as much match practice as possible against strong opponents. Zverev definitely got it. Of course, not everything that glitters is gold for the Olympic champion. His defeat against Alex de Minaur in the semi-final singles showed that Zverev can always slip up. And against Hubert Hurkacz he was only a few centimeters away from defeat. But mentally Alexander Zverev will be fully there at the beginning of 2024. He believes in himself and knows that once he plays his best tennis, very few players in the world can beat him. Also a nice feeling to start the Australian Open next week.
From a German perspective, one can therefore look towards the start of the Grand Slam with optimism – and say: It can begin.
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2024-01-08 08:55:00
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