Tennis ATP Finals: Zverev takes first step towards defending the title against Nadal

Perfect start and first victory for the defending champion: Alexander Zverev has won against Rafael Nadal for the first time in his career at the opening of the ATP Finals. The 22-year-old professional tennis player from Hamburg prevailed in London in the first group match after a remarkable performance 6: 2, 6: 4 against the world ranking first from Spain. After 1:23 hours Zverev turned his first match point and went after the sixth comparison with Nadal first time out of the square.

Zverev will face Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece on Wednesday, who won the first match of the group "Andre Agassi" against Russian Daniil Medvedev 7: 6, 6: 4. Also against Tsitsipas Zverev has a 1: 3 negative balance, in early October in the semifinals of Beijing but only just lost. Nadal gets to do it with Medvedev on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old left-hander from Mallorca was last in the Masters Series tournament in Paris-Bercy to his semifinals because of an abdominal muscle injury not started. During the week he had already indicated that he could not accurately assess his health. In fact, Nadal seemed at least inhibited.

Strong start also for the double

For Nadal could thus continue the London curse in 2019. The ATP Finals are the only big tournament he has not won yet. Six times already, he was missing injured. In 2017, he retired after a defeat against the Belgian David Goffin.

Another good start from a German perspective was celebrated by tournament debutants Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies. The number three seed won the Dutch-Romanian combination Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau 7: 6 (7: 3), 4: 6, 10: 6. "That was a good match and a solid start," said 27-year-old Krawietz after the win in 1:43 hours.

Krawietz and the 29-year-old Mies had qualified for the season finale spectacle for the first time and were impressed by the atmosphere in the hall. "It was so much fun, we enjoyed every second," said Mies. From a "special moment" and an "incredible feeling" said Krawietz.