Zverev loses marathon final in Hamburg : One of 22 break chances used
Zverev Loses Marathon
At his home tournament at the Rothenbaum in Hamburg, Alexander Zverev played his way to the final despite knee problems. There, the 27-year-old lost to the Frenchman Arthur Fils in a high-class final 3:6, 6:3, 6:7 (1:7).
Alexander Zverev narrowly missed the successful title defense at his home tournament in Hamburg. The Olympic champion and last year’s winner had to admit defeat in a memorable marathon final against the up-and-coming Frenchman Arthur Fils 3:6, 6:3, 6:7 (1:7). In front of 10,000 spectators in the stadium at the Rothenbaum, the 20-year-old Fils converted his first match point after 3:33 hours.
If he had won, Zverev would have been the first German since Gottfried von Cramm in 1949 to successfully defend his title at the traditional tournament. The fourth-ranked player in the world seemed to be in poor health in the final. It was less his injured left knee that seemed to bother him than the temperature of more than 30 degrees on the court. In the first set, the 27-year-old asked for medical attention once.
Files now has 7:1 tiebreaks this year
The shortcoming in Zverev’s game was undoubtedly the rate of break chances he used: he was only able to use one of 22 opportunities – Fils always managed to pull himself out of the affair. The Frenchman now has 7:1 tiebreaks won this year.
Despite the defeat, Zverev can be satisfied with the dress rehearsal for the Olympic Games in Paris. He was particularly convincing in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, but also in the final. However, he will have to wait for his 23rd title on the ATP Tour – he last won in Rome in May.
“It was an incredible week that I will never forget, even if I didn’t manage to defend my title,” said Zverev. And looking at the further goals for himself and his team, he said: “We want to be number one at the end of the year.” Addressing his opponent, he said: “You deserve the win. Enjoy the moment.”
