ATP: Alexander Zverev struggles for opening victory in Miami

Alexander Zverev won his anniversary match despite some problems and made a very mixed start to the Miami Open. The fifth in the world rankings beat Daniil Medvedev (Russia) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5) in his opening match. Victory in his 200. Professional game on the ATP tour. But the disappointing results of the past weeks have left their mark on Zverev.

After 2:13 hours, Zverev benefited from a forehand error from his opponent in his first match point. Thus the favourite ended a playful ascent and descent with the desired success. Almost two weeks after the disappointing knockout. in his first game in Indian Wells against Joao Sousa (Portugal), the 20-year-old showed light and shade on the Centre Court in Crandon Park on the offshore island of Key Biscayne.

He missed several good chances, made wrong decisions again and again and could only flash his great class in a few moments. Zverev began against his buddy Medvedev somewhat restrained and left the world rankings-52. in many rallies. The Sydney winner took advantage of this and, in contrast to the Hamburg-born player, was able to make better use of his break opportunities at the beginning. With his first double mistake Zverev “gave” the break to the outsider for a 4:2 lead.

As a result, however, the fourth-placed hamburger from Miami initially focused on his qualities and won the four games that followed. Not least because he finally managed the first break for the 3:4 connection in his fourth attempt. And this with his dreaded backhand cross shot.

Shortly before winning the set, Zverev learned that there were discussions in his box between his manager Patricio Apey and a steward who wanted to give the Argentinean a different place for inexplicable reasons. Zverev was visibly upset about this, but immediately afterwards took the opening round. With the third set point after 44 minutes.

In the next service game of Medvedev Zverev missed two break possibilities – and lost completely the thread in the consequence. Especially his second service and the undercut backhand proved to be a great weakness. Last year’s Miami quarter-finalist was flawed and helpless. There was little to be seen of a match plan. No doubt: The last few weeks have scratched the 1.98 m giant’s self-confidence.

In the decisive set, however, he withdrew from the misery. At first he fended off two break chances at 1:1 and celebrated his point wins with loud screams. Zverev then kept his nerve in the tiebreak when the score was 5-5: match point Zverev or match point Medvedev. Sascha” Zverev will face either David Ferrer of Spain (No. 28) or Evgeny Donskoy of Russia in the upcoming match to reach the round of 16 on Monday.

Zverev had clearly won the previous two comparisons with Moscow’s Medvedev – most recently in the quarter-finals of Washington in 2017. The German Davis Cup player won one of his five titles in the US capital last year. So far, he has won 9-4 in 2018.

Medvedev had caused a sensation these days. In his first-round match, he and his opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) had fought for words. After the Russian’s 2:6, 6:4, 6:2 victory, the players then insulted each other, accusing each other of unsportsmanlike behavior. The chair referee prevented worse after the match when he sent Medvedev back to his bench with reassuring words.

Wahl-Monegasse is known for its hot temper. At the Wimbledon tournament last summer, after his defeat against Ruben Bemelmans, he threw money to give free rein to his anger towards the chair referee.