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ATP Cup: Zverev is subject to Medvedev, Germany eliminated

A battered Alexander Zverev lost 6: 3, 3: 6 and 5: 7 against Daniil Medvedev at the ATP Cup in Melbourne in the semifinals of the ATP Cup. Russia is in the final and will face Italy on Sunday.

by Jens Huiber
last edit: Feb 06, 2021, 04:56 am

Alexander Zverev also stormed and pushed on Saturday
© Getty Images
Alexander Zverev also stormed and pushed on Saturday

Here you can read the match in the live ticker.

It is extremely rare that Alexander Zverev orders a tournament physio on the court. The almost ten-minute break that the German number one conjured up with the treatment of his back when the score was 3: 4 in the second set against Daniil Medvedev was definitely significant. Especially since Zverev had dominated the match against the ATP world champion until the middle of round two: with his serve, but also generally with an offensive approach.

The athletic urgency was given after Jan-Lennard Struff suffered a defeat for the first time in his third appearance at the ATP Cup in 2021. Struff lost to Andrey Rublev 6: 3, 1: 6 and 2: 6. In the group matches against Canada and Serbia, the Warsteiner had given Germany a 1-0 lead against Milos Raonic and Dusan Lajovic.

Zverev needs treatment

Medvedev managed to equalize the set against Zverev with 6: 3, who had his back treated again. The Hamburg native's surcharges still came at over 200 km / h over the network, but Zverev was no longer moving around. And more and more often exchanged looks with brother Mischa and father Alexander sr. who sat in the German team box. In any case, one thing seemed clear early on in the third set: Alexander Zverev would definitely not compete in doubles - against Serbia he had defeated Novak Djokovic and Nikola Cacic on the side of Jan-Lennard Struff.

Zverev still held up brilliantly in the match. And was able to submit again and again in the final sentence. Daniil Medvedev accepted the challenge. In the eleventh game, Zverev made two backhand and two double faults - Medvedev took the lead 6: 5. Zverev initially worked out two break chances, then fended off two match points. Zverev missed a third opportunity for a comeback, Medevedev his third match point with a double fault. But after 2:38 hours there was match point number four. And Russia is in the final of the ATP Cup in 2021.

The Italians are waiting there on Sunday. After Fabio Fognini had defeated Pablo Carreno Busta in three sets at the beginning of the semifinals against Spain, Matteo Berrettini almost immediately won with Medvedev against Roberto Bautista Agut 6: 3 and 7: 5.

by Jens Huiber

Saturday
Feb 06, 2021, 04:50 am
last edit: Feb 06, 2021, 04:56 am