Zverev pushes historical night shift in Acapulco - next opponent comes from Munich

Created: 02/22/2022, 14:15

By: Christoph Klaucke

Alexander Zverev is doing a historic night shift.

The tennis pro wins late at night in Acapulco and next meets a Munich player.

Acapulco – Alexander Zverev* is always good for a surprise.

The Olympic champion set a new tennis record at the tournament in Acapulco.

In his opening match in Mexico, Zverev played almost the whole night, almost until sunrise, and finally defeated the American Jenson Brooksby 3: 6, 7: 6 (12:10), 6: 2.

The first round game only ended at 4.54 a.m. local time and thus later than any match before on the ATP tour.

Alexander Zverev: Historic night shift - tennis record in Acapulco

"I'm happy that I won and am part of history," said Zverev after the memorable game: "It was an incredible fight, an incredible match.

I hope there will be many more to come this week.” After his converted match point, the 24-year-old pointed to both his legs and looked at his team in the stands, where his girlfriend Sophia Thomalla and physiotherapist Hugo Gravil were also marked by the marathon race. party were.

Even if I'm still not playing my best tennis - I'm fit, Zverev's gesture should mean that.

The previous record was set by Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) and Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) in 2008 at the Australian Open with an end at 4:34 a.m.

Zverev's match in Mexico only started shortly after 1.30 a.m. local time, as the two previous matches in the evening session had each broken the three-hour mark.

Tennis ace Alexander Zverev set a new record in Acapulco.

© Eduardo Verdugo/dpa

Alexander Zverev: Munich's Gojowczyk is waiting in the round of 16

Zverev initially showed a poor performance against Brooksby.

The German number one made 19 slight mistakes in the first set.

In the period that followed, Zverev often acted far too passively against the 21-year-old US boy.

Zverev fended off two match balls from Brooksby, who was playing carelessly, in the tie-break of the second round before he used the fifth set ball himself.

The second section alone lasted 111 minutes.

Zverev confidently won the third set and averted another sporting disappointment after the knockout round at the Australian Open.

Olympic champion Zverev meets Munich's Peter Gojowczyk in the round of 16.

The 32-year-old, who slipped into the main draw as a lucky loser, beat Brandon Nakashima (USA) 6-4, 6-4.

On the other hand, Cologne's Oscar Otte was eliminated after losing 6-2, 6-4 to Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta (No. 8).