Alexander Zverev - The world champion's unnecessary marathon at the Australian Open
Alexander Zverev could have been much easier to move into the third round of the 2019 Australian Open. After his five-set win against Jeremy Chardy, the Germans now need to gather strength.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jan 17, 2019, 03:49 pm
Why easy when things get complicated? Actually, Alexander Zverev could have spent a restful, relaxed working day in the Margaret Court-Arena, actually he should have saved energy, energy, the famous “grains” on this sultry summer evening in Melbourne. Zverev (21) led 2: 0 after sets against the ten-year-old Jeremy Chardy from France, the finish line was temptingly approaching, a safe Australian Open success. But then the tremors and hesitation began, Zverev got on a downhill course, he lost his dominance and the cool head and then two sets to a 2: 2 tie.
Only when things got really hot, in extreme need, did the ATP world champion regain his dominant stature - and after all the detours and problems and doubts, he finally raised his arms at 0.16 a.m. It was done, the third round move after a 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 4, 6: 7 (4: 7), 5: 7, 6: 7 (6: 8), 6: 1 win against his finally exhausted opponent Chardy.
Zverev "happy" about the victory
"I am very happy that I got through here," said Zverev, who is now the last German Mohican in the men's competition at this 2019 Australian Open had given up once and worked on the building for a long time. "He has an amazing story behind him," said Zverev, "it will be a game I'm really looking forward to."
On the other hand, Zverev's joy after his moody second-round appearance could not be undiminished. Because in this unexpected Grand Slam marathon, Zverev unnecessarily pulverized substance over three hours and 46 minutes. "Stupid mistakes" would have got him off track, the German said afterwards, "I should have decided more confidently."
Too many double mistakes from Zverev
Over long stretches of tennis files three and four, the backdrop on the third large show court witnessed a Zverev who fought against himself and his insecurity, even against the fear of spectacularly losing another of these competitive matches in a major tournament. Above all, the serve, one of the most powerful weapons of the 21-year-old, failed him again and again, and by the end of the five-set extension he also produced thirteen double faults.
After all: Zverev did not allow himself to be angry tirades, did not struggle with himself for long, and did not get involved in discussions with arbitrators or line judges as in a comparable critical situation. "What was convincing: he accepted this fight, this challenge. And without complaining and grumbling and ranting, "said observer Boris Becker," that could have been expensive that day. "
Becker doesn't like the Schlendrian
On the other hand, what the boss of the DTB and Camp Zverev with super coach Ivan Lendl didn't like was the slickness that the ATP champion showed in the exploitation of opportunities - because even in the weaker sets three and four there were always good opportunities, the game abbreviate. Zverev also left a match ball on a 6: 5 lead in the tie break of the fourth set. Zverev could still build on this "complicated victory", said Becker: "It was already a matriculation examination. And he passed it, albeit with problems.
Long before Zverev's five-movement drama, the German ranks in Melbourne continued to thicken. The most unfortunate was goodbye to veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber, who lost in a five-set battle after around four hours as a 5: 7, 6: 4, 6: 7 (4: 7), 7: 5, 4: 6 loser tough Portuguese Joao Sousa stood there. He could not blame himself much, Kohlschreiber said later, "my opponent was just very, very strong." Kohlschreiber twice made up a set gap, but in the decision-making process Sousa was the more gripping, also nerve-racking player. Also for youngster Maximilian Marterer the Grand Slam curtain lowered in the second round, losing 6: 7 (8:10), 6: 7 (8:10), 7: 5 and 4: 6 against the Frenchman Lucas Pouille .
Laura Siegemund has to say goodbye
Laura Siegemund, one of the big surprise figures at the start of the tournament after her triumph over the former world rankings first Viktoria Azarenka, went smoothly 3: 6 and 4: 6 against the world rankings 27. Hsieh Su-Wie (Taiwan). Siegemund was nevertheless not dissatisfied: “I sold myself dearly. Overall, the tournament, the start of the year, is a success for me, ”said the 30-year-old Schwäbin, who is now moving back to the top 100 on her comeback mission after surviving a cruciate ligament rupture.