Dominant Zverev only DTB ray of hope at the French Open start
Alexander Zverev lived up to his role as favorite at the start of the French Open tournament. Three other German professionals were eliminated.
by SID
last edit: May 22, 2022, 09:47 pm
After his easy opening win, Alexander Zverev pulled a jacket over his muscle shirt, waved at the audience with a smile and then felt like joking. "I usually start a Grand Slam tournament with five-set matches over several hours," said the best German tennis player with a grin after his 6: 2, 6: 4, 6: 4 win against the Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner at the start in Paris : "But Sergi forbade me to do that."
His coach Sergi Bruguera laughed in the stands and was just as happy with the dominant start as Zverev himself. "I hope I can play my best tennis here and do something special," Zverev added. What is meant is the first major title that he is still waiting for. Bruguera, on the other hand, has two in his vita that he tells him about every day.
The big tests are still waiting for the 25-year-old from Hamburg, who recently got along better after a difficult few months. With the semi-finals in Monte Carlo and Rome as well as the final in Madrid, Zverev showed that he is getting closer to the top, but he first has to work hard to be perceived as a real title contender in Paris. The third in the world rankings can take the next step towards that against the Serb Dusan Lajovic or the Argentine Sebastian Baez.
Kerber with a lot of self-confidence at the start, Niemeier-Aus "bitter and frustrating"
On the other hand, the tournament is over for Daniel Altmaier, Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier after the opening day, on which the deletion of the world ranking points for Wimbledon was also discussed. On Monday afternoon (around 4 p.m. / Eurosport) Angelique Kerber also intervened after her tournament victory in Strasbourg, against the Pole Magdalena Frech. With the "best preparation for Roland Garros" for her, the 34-year-old wants to end her negative run after three first-round defeats in Paris with "a lot of self-confidence".
Niemeier, on the other hand, celebrated her major debut. She started wildly determined and with real power tennis put the former US Open winner and Paris finalist Sloane Stephens under pressure in the 7: 5, 4: 6, 2: 6 defeat, but lost in the end. "It's very bitter and frustrating," complained the 22-year-old from Dortmund. Maria, who caused a sensation when she won the title in Bogota in April, ultimately had no chance in the 3: 6, 3: 6 against the Romanian Sorana Cirstea.
Altmaier, who has climbed to 54th place in the world rankings, was annoyed with himself after his 1: 6, 3: 6, 6: 4, 3: 6 against the Spaniard Jaume Munar. "The defeat is really like a slap in the face, but I have to get up and work hard," said the 23-year-old from Kempen.
That was also Zverev's recipe after the many setbacks this season, including his freak out in Acapulco, which lingered after him for a long time. Now he seems to be picking himself up more and more and has been playing a good clay court season so far. Also spurred on by the teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz, who recently outstripped Zverev as a title contender in the French capital, he wants to play a strong tournament. A start has been made.
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