Wimbledon: Alexander Zverev - Quickly to "pack watching"
Alexander Zverev easily reached the second round at Wimbledon. It also had to be quick because he wanted to be in front of the television.
by SID
last edit: Jun 29, 2021, 05:56 pm
After walking into the second round of Wimbledon, Alexander Zverev also confidently circumnavigated the delicate question of the European Championship highlight between Germany and England. "If I give an answer, I'll be booed off the pitch," joked the German tennis star - and had the laughter of the British audience on his side when he added, grinning and with a wink, "I hope it goes to penalties."
Two hours before the round of 16 between the two arch rivals at the European Football Championship in London, the world number six Zverev had cleared the Dutch qualifier Tallon Griekspoor without any problems. After 1:29 hours, the French Open semi-finalist made it 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 1 perfect - despite the pressure from his German colleagues whom he had invited to "pack watching" in his hotel room.
Zverev hits 20 aces
"I got a bit of anger from them: Now don't play five sets again, as always in the first round, but do it a little faster," said the 24-year-old with a laugh. That succeeded impressively, and at the same time he underlined his ambitions for the classic lawn.
An embarrassing first-round bankruptcy like two years ago never came into the realm of possibility for a second. The hamburger acted too concentrated, the serve came too strong - 20 aces came out in the end. Opponents in the second round are the Americans Tennys Sandgren or Norbert Gombos from Slovakia.
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Zverev opened on Court No. 1, the second largest stadium in the facility, the German day - immediately after him, the opening matches of Angelique Kerber and Jan-Lennard Struff were scheduled. "The first match on grass at Wimbledon is always a story, it's never easy," his brother and manager Mischa had warned on Sky before the game.
In any case, Wimbledon was not a very good place for the German number one. With five starts in the All England Club so far, he has only reached the round of 16 (2017). In the other three Grand Slam tournaments, he was at least in the semifinals.
skywimbledon
Against Griekspoor, Zverev, thanks to the cancellations of Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem in fourth position, was able to rely on his serve from the start - a special weapon on grass. He had previously played against qualifiers three times at Wimbledon and lost twice - but the Dutchman also acted too nervously and incorrectly to trip the German favorite, who appeared focused.
Barthel retired
Zverev only had bigger problems in the discussions with the referee, whether it was dripping or not. The German demanded several times that the roof be closed - and finally got his way when the rain got heavier. Even after the 20-minute break, Zverev remained the better player.
Before that, things went less well for Mona Barthel, who was the second of four German starters to retire. The 30-year-old from Neumünster lost against the Chinese Zhu Lin 7: 6 (7: 2), 3: 6, 3: 6. Laura Siegemund (Metzingen) had already lost her first round match on Monday.
Here the individual tableau of the men in Wimbledon
Here the individual tableau of the women in Wimbledon
wimmap