Davis Cup, day one: Alexander Zverev stays cool, Philipp Kohlschreiber with tremors
Frankfurt and the Davis Cup. A combination that had provided one or the other specialty in the past. Whether “straw affair” in 2014 or a surprise defeat against Belgium three years later.
by Florian Heer
last edit: Feb 02, 2019, 07:45 am
Florian Heer from Frankfurt
The 19-year-old Zsombor Piros was only two points short in the 10th game of the second set against Philipp Kohlschreiber to give Hungary a 1-0 lead. In the duel of the most experienced against the teenager, the veteran from Augsburg finally prevailed in three sentences. 6: 7 (6), 7: 5, 6: 4 it was said after two hours and 39 minutes.
"I played beyond my means today," Piros said, despite the defeat. “It was definitely one of my best matches so far, but Philipp was better in the third set. I'm not used to playing at this level. But I will continue to work hard on myself, ”said number 338 in the world rankings.
Nervous Kohlschreiber creates turnaround
"It was an entertaining match for the spectators," said Kohlschreiber in his subsequent press conference. "I have to pay a big compliment to my opponent. He was tactically very good, started very well and played courageously. Even if I didn't get my best day today, I was able to fight back. In the end, the point counts and I'll talk to Mr. Kohlmann about the match. ”
There was an intensive exchange with the German captain during the game. "I was just incredibly nervous today," Kohlschreiber admitted. “When I go to the square at the beginning and feel this tingling in my stomach, I wonder why I'm still doing this to myself. I don't have that feeling all year round. ”
The newly introduced "Best of Three" format was an additional change for the Davis Cup veteran Kohlschreiber and also built up pressure after losing the first sentence.
"It feels strange. Best-of-Five would have given me the easiness faster today. But I am happy about a hopefully important point. "
Zverev stays cool
Alexander Zverev relaxed before Peter Nagy. After his training session on Friday afternoon, the 21-year-old German was often seen smiling. The DTB Head of Womens Tennis, Barbara Rittner, including her dog, was greeted warmly on the edge of the court. Zverev transferred his good mood to the field, dominating his Hungarian opponent, who could still defeat him in 2013 at the age of 16 at a futures tournament in the United States, almost at will. The reigning "ATP World Champion" won 6-2, 6-2 in 69 minutes.
Sascha has the perspective
"I served well today and was always focused," Zverev summed up his performance. The young German gave an anecdote about the first encounter with Nagy, a “victim” of the newly designed and shortlisted ATP world rankings, who lost all of his ATP world ranking points at the beginning of the year. “It was a very funny story back then. I always had problems with vision and it got very dark in this match. We played under floodlights and went to the eye doctor for the first time afterwards. Since then I've always played with contact lenses. Thank you for losing the match, ”laughed Zverev.
With a success in tomorrow's doubles, the German team can already book their place at the Davis Cup final in Madrid in November.