Good start to the new year! Unlike in 2020, the tennis season for Alexander Zverev begins with a win. Since Jan-Lenard Struff also wins, Germany have a semi-final chance in the ATP Cup.
After the first win in the ATP Cup in his career was Alexander Zverev just happy.
“Winning something for your country is one of the greatest things in sports,” the US Open finalist said after a three-set win over Denis Shapovalov. Jan-Lenard Struff had earlier won against Milos Raonic in two tight tie-break sets. The final defeats of Struff and Kevin Kravitz in doubles were of no consequence.
Last year, Zverev lost all three of his singles at the premiere of the team event and showed a sometimes terrible performance. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old didn’t manage everything against the number twelfth in the world. Zverev was in the third set tie-break. “I played some really good deliveries in the tie-break and luckily I got the win for our team.”
At German Night (00.00 p.m. CET / Sky & Servus TV) on Thursday, Zverev & Co. are now up against defending champions Serbia for the semi-finals. The Serb also won against Canada in the beginning. After the first man between Struff and Dusan Lajovic, there is a top duel between Zverev and the world number one. Novak Djokovik. “There are always special doubles against Novak, you have to show your best tennis,” Zverev said. “Last year we were knocked out in the group stage, this time we really want to go to the semi-finals.”
Italy and Russia are already in, each celebrating their second win on Wednesday. This will be followed by the semi-finals on Friday and the final on Saturday. On Monday, the Australian Open begins at Melbourne Park, where Zverev was knocked out in the semi-final against Austrian Dominic Thiem last year.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210203-99-279677/5 (dpa)
