ATP Cup: Alex de Minaur beats Alexander Zverev and seals Germany's defeat
Alexander Zverev has lost his opening match at the ATP Cup. The world ranked seventh defeated Alex de Minaur 6: 4, 6: 7 (4) and 2: 6. Australia is thus already the winner of the country comparison before the final double.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jan 03, 2020, 01:10 pm
Zverev started like the fire brigade and quickly took the lead with a double break and 5-2. After that, de Minaur fought back and even found a breakball at 5: 4 - Zverev was able to fend it off and turned his seventh set ball into 6: 4.
The German also started well in the second round and immediately took the serve from his Australian opponent. But this time, too, the 22-year-old was unable to keep his serve, especially with the second service, Zverev was just as weak as in the previous year. At the end of the match there should be an incredible 14 double mistakes.
The German was able to save himself in the tie break in the second set. In this, however, de Minaur quickly took the lead and was able to secure the second section - afterwards the racket Zverevs had to serve for frustration for the first time in the still young season.
Double important
The mood of the German did not necessarily improve at the beginning of the third round. De Minaur made a quick double break and transported this lead safely to 4: 6, 7: 6 (4) and 6: 2 success.
Zverev had to accept the first loss in the fifth game against de Minaur. The premier duel between the two youngsters had also taken place in Brisbane, and in 2018 Zverev won the fifth set in the tiebreak in the Davis Cup.
After the initial success of Nick Kyrgios via Jan-Lennard Struff , it is now 2-0 between Germany and Australia after the two singles. The double between Andreas Mies / Kevin Krawietz and John Peers / Chris Guccione could nevertheless be of great importance for the further course of the ATP Cup. The game is available in our live ticker .