ATP Cup: false start for tennis men around Alexander Zverev

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Alexander Zverev

Photo: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

Olympic champion Alexander Zverev could not prevent a false start for the German tennis men at the ATP Cup.

Although the world number three succeeded in the beginning of the new year in Sydney on Sunday, Zverev lost his surprising double appearance.

Together with Kevin Krawietz, the 24-year-old lost to Britons Jamie Murray and Daniel Evans 3: 6, 4: 6 in the decisive match.

The Germans' first group game at this team event ended with a 1: 2 against Great Britain.

Zverev's 7: 6 (7: 2), 6: 1 success against world number twelfth Cameron Norrie was too little.

Because in addition to the doubles, Jan-Lennard Struff also lost out with a clear 1: 6, 2: 6 against Evans.

For the German tennis men in Group C it will now be Tuesday (00:00) against the USA and Thursday against Canada (07:30 / Sky and ServusTV) to make up for the defeat at the beginning.

In order to qualify for the semifinals, the selection of team boss Michael Kohlmann must also hope for a slip by the British.

Only the four winners from the four groups of four will advance.

With the ATP Cup, the tennis professionals are preparing for the Australian Open, which begins on January 17th in Melbourne.

Zverev has set itself the goal of winning his first title there at one of the four most important tennis tournaments.

Zverev had some trouble - and then surprisingly competed in doubles

Six weeks after his last win in 2021, with which he won the ATP Finals, Zverev initially struggled with Norrie.

Unlike at the end of the season in Turin, the Hamburger has not yet reached his best form in the individual.

“It's the first match of the season, it will never be the best match.

I did what I had to do, ”he said.

Without his victory, the opening defeat would have already been determined after the individual.

23 unforced mistakes in the first set meant that the German number one had to go into the tie-break, which he won with ease. Previously, Zverev was in distress at 4-5 and had to fend off a set ball from Norrie. With the set lead, Zverev became safer, the second section clearly developed in his favor after the first break to 3: 1.

Surprisingly, Zverev then replaced the doubles specialist Tim Pütz and also competed in doubles.

Unlike in the Davis Cup, when Pütz and Krawietz performed together, there was nothing for the Germans this time.

Krawietz did not play as well as in the Davis Cup, and Zverev was also annoyed about unnecessary mistakes.

At the beginning of December, the German tennis men in the Davis Cup without the top player had reached the semi-finals with a surprising quarter-final victory against the British.

ara / dpa