Belgrade (dpa) - Alexander Zverev has returned after a three and a half month break with a hard-won victory on the tennis court.
The best German professional won 0: 4, 4: 3 (7: 5), 4: 3 (7: 2) against the Serbian Filip Krajinovic in Belgrade. The match with shortened sentences took place as part of the so-called Adria Tour, which was organized by the world number one Novak Djokovic.
The 23-year-old seventh in the world rankings from Hamburg had several match balls against him in the decisive round in a duel with the number 32 in the world. In the end, however, Zverev prevailed against the 28-year-old Krajimovic. Zverev was to play his second match against Serbian Viktor Troicki on Saturday evening and meet Djokovic in his group on Sunday. Austrian Dominic Thiem plays in the other group.
There was no sign of special hygiene measures due to the corona pandemic in the "Novak Tennis Center" in Belgrade. The spectator ranks around the clay court were well filled when the weather was fine, there were hugs and a handshake on the net as well as ball children. In contrast, the currently running tournament series of the German Tennis Association has considerably stricter rules.
Zverev and Krajimovic in direct comparison on the ATP homepage
Schedule of the Adriatic tour
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