ATP Cincinnati: Hammer duel at the beginning - Andy Murray challenges Alexander Zverev
AlexanderZverev's comeback after the long tour break is imminent. With the former world number one Andy Murray , a great challenge awaits the 23-year-old right from the start. The match is available from 8:45 p.m. in our live ticker .
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Aug 24, 2020, 10:55 am
There are probably much more pleasant tasks at the beginning of a Masters 1000 tournament than a game against Andy Murray. Especially if the encounter was preceded by an almost six-month tour break. No, the lottery fairy didn't mean it really well to Alexander Zverev at the Cincinnati event - and yet the German can hardly wait to play an official match again.
"The emotions and feelings that you experience on a tennis court cannot be found anywhere else," Zverev explained before the tournament started. He is looking forward to the restart and is hoping for a similarly strong performance as at the Australian Open: "We'll see how everything goes with the comeback. But I hope I can build on my form from the beginning of the year and maybe get even better . "
Ferrer not there
After the semi-finals in Melbourne, Zverev went to Acapulco, where he was defeated by the American Tommy Paul in the second round. Apparently there were problems with his serve again in Mexico - but these should now be resolved. "At the moment it's a lot about the serve and the backhand. I'm trying to get these things back. Of course, I'm also trying to improve other things. These include, for example, aggressive tennis and net play," the world number seven had already explained in April .
Neo-coach David Ferrer, with whom Zverev, according to his own statements, could not be more satisfied , is said to have helped him. In the USA, the Spaniard is not there due to the strict Corona regulations, as is Zverev's father - instead, the 23-year-old is looked after by fitness trainer Jez Green and physiotherapist Hugo Gravil.
I think they did a fantastic job.
Alexander Zverev on the USTA
For Zverev, however, the special circumstances are not a big problem: "I think they did a fantastic job when it comes to the accommodation and the fact that the players feel comfortable under the circumstances."
Murray is looking forward to a "good test"
Feeling good - that also applies to the relationship between Andy Murray and Flushing Meadows. At the US Open, the Scot eight years ago won his first Grand Slam title and this year the former world number one seems to have settled in well in the New York borough of Queens.
In the first round, Murray, who so far won the only duel against Zverev at the Australian Open 2016, won against Frances Tiafoe in three sets. Afterwards, the three-time major champion was full of anticipation in view of the upcoming game: "He has been at the top of the world rankings for a number of years. It will definitely be a good test for me."
The game between Zverev and Murray will be available from 8:45 p.m. in our live ticker .