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Alexander Zverev back on the pitch - but still out of shape
Photo: Mark Baker/AP
Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev is not back in shape after months of injury.
The 25-year-old from Hamburg also clearly lost his second individual at the United Cup in Australia.
Zverev had no chance in the 1: 6, 4: 6 against the American Taylor Fritz.
Fritz only needed 64 minutes for his success, the first set even lasted only 21 minutes.
Zverev didn't win a point on his opponent's first serve, only two in the first round with Fritz's second service.
"He gave me a lot of chances," said the American.
Zverev lost the first game against Czech outsider Jiri Lehecka 4: 6, 2: 6.
A few things were “a bit different”, he said afterwards that he got tired more quickly.
"But that's what happens when you haven't played for a long time." The United Cup, in which men and women compete together for the first time, serves as preparation for the Australian Open (January 16 to 29).
For Zverev, the duel against Fritz was the second competitive game after he suffered a triple ligament tear at the French Open in the semifinals against Rafael Nadal last summer.
He had to cancel his return to the Davis Cup, originally planned for September.
Jule Niemeier also suffered her second defeat at the United Cup.
The Wimbledon quarterfinalist from Dortmund lost to the American Madison Keys 2: 6, 3: 6.
aha/dpa
