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Alexander Zverev was unable to continue his strong performance from Friday
Photo: IMAGO/Alexander Neis/Eibner-Pressefoto / IMAGO/Eibner
The German Davis Cup team missed qualifying for the group stage of the traditional tennis competition in Trier in September.
Debutant Daniel Altmaier had to accept the decisive 2: 3 in a close duel with Switzerland through the 3: 6, 7: 5, 4: 6 against the three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka.
Previously, Olympic champion Alexander Zverev surprisingly lost 2: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7) against Marc-Andrea Hüsler and thus missed the chance of progressing early after Andreas Mies and Tim Pütz were selected by the German Tennis Association (DTB). led 2-1 in doubles.
Altmaier tried his best in front of 4,000 spectators in the sold-out Trier Arena.
Nevertheless, he ultimately had to admit defeat to old master Wawrinka, who was already playing his third match in the ongoing duel.
Zverev previously played a weaker game against Hüsler after his convincing two-set win over 37-year-old Wawrinka the day before.
The first set clearly went to the Swiss, who consistently punished the numerous mistakes made by the Hamburger.
In the second round, too, the nervous-looking Zverev lacked concentration and good body language for a long time in front of 4,000 spectators.
Despite an early break, the 25-year-old never really found his way into the game and ultimately had to admit defeat in the tie break.
Zverev, who failed in the second round at the Australian Open, showed that he still has a long way to go to top form after his long injury break.
Only the double is convincing
The double specialists Mies/Pütz had previously ensured Zverev's good starting position.
In an emotional and close match, they beat Wawrinka and Dominic Stricker 6:7 (3:7), 6:3, 6:4 in the early afternoon.
After losing a set in the first round, Mies/Pütz increased their level noticeably and deservedly turned the game around.
After the bankruptcy, the German tennis players are now fighting to stay in the world group in the fall.
kjo/sid/dpa
