"Ne, ne, ne, ne": Kerber presses the brake, Zverev sees "a lot of positive things"
The German stars Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev have moved into the second round of the US Open. Kerber in particular fends off excessive expectations.
by SID
last edit: Sep 01, 2020, 10:19 am
Co-favorite? She? Angelique Kerber threatened to lose her composure for a moment. "No, no, no, no," said the 32-year-old three-time major winner after her opening success at the US Open. She really doesn't count among the first contenders for the tournament victory: "No way!"
Kerber had just successfully mastered her task against Alja Tomljanovic from Australia with 6: 4, 6: 4, when she decided to put the brakes on euphoria in the press conference held by video. "I'm trying to get better from round to round and find my way into the tournament," said the Kiel woman, "but it's still a long way. Let's see what's coming."
Kerber could be satisfied. Except for a few wobbles, who appeared anything but surprising after seven months without match practice, she managed a fairly confident performance. It continues in the second round with a German duel against Anna-Lena Friedsam (Neuwied), who made it into the second round with a smooth 6: 2, 6: 2 against the American Caroline Dolehide.
Zverev: "Fitter than I've ever been"
While Tamara Korpatsch, Tatjana Maria, Dominik Koepfer and Peter Gojowczyk have to pack their things, Alexander Zverev and Jan-Lennard Struff also reached the next stage. Zverev, 23-year-old German number one, had to fight much more than Kerber, but presented himself as self-confident after the 7: 6 (7: 2), 5: 7, 6: 3, 7: 5 against Kevin Anderson (South Africa). "I'm fit, I'm fitter than I've ever been," said Zverev at Eurosport: "But it's still different to be on the pitch." It's pretty lonely.
Zverev is not only missing the spectators, as are all other professionals. He also misses familiar faces in his box. "The family, to be honest. I don't usually play a Grand Slam without them," said the semi-finalist of the Australian Open: "My father is usually on the pitch with me, my mother and the dogs are always there too." Together with his brother Mischa, they will now sit in front of the TV again and keep their fingers crossed when Zverev tackles the compulsory task against the American Brandon Nakashima (ATP-223).
Boris Becker described Zverev as a problem child before the start of the tournament. But the native of Hamburg saw "a lot of positive things" after his match against former US Open and Wimbledon finalist Anderson. Zverev will have to improve if he wants to go far. And that's what he wants. In the absence of stars like defending champion Rafael Nadal, the number seven in the world senses the chance to go far, he wants to stay in New York for a while.
Although life is relatively boring for tennis professionals in what is actually a very exciting metropolis. At least that's how Jan-Lennard Struff described it after his 6: 0, 7: 5, 6: 4 against the Spaniard Pedro Martinez Portero. Nevertheless, he is very happy to be able to continue serving at the Grand Slam event. Like Kerber, Friedsam and Zverev.