Alexander Zverev had to fight hard with Yannick Hanfmann for two sets. In the end, however, the defending champion of the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Munich secured a place in the quarter-finals.
It got a bit tight in the area of the stands at the MTTC Iphitos, where Alexander Zverev’s supporters had settled. At the beginning only father Alexander sr. and Physio Hugo Gravil were at the start – not to forget Sascha’s grandmother, but as the match continued brother Mischa and manager Patricio Apey joined the travel group living in Monte Carlo.
It did no harm to young Alexander, on the contrary. The longer the match lasted against Yannick Hanfmann, the more confident the defending champion was, securing a place in the quarter-finals with a 6:7 (12), 6:4 and 6:1, where Zverev played Jan-Lennard Struff on Friday. Like a year ago.
Train, train, be honored, train, train. And then finally the first match. This is how the last days have gone for Zverev, who has been in the Bavarian metropolis since Friday. The 21-year-old has given himself the double for free this week – his ancestral partner, brother Mischa, has made an appointment with Yuichi Sugita (and lost his first match). It’s not easy for Alexander Zverev: First the title defence at the MTTC Iphitos will take place, but in the coming weeks also the Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome. It was there that Zverev celebrated his first big success last year, leaving no chance in the final of Novak Djokovic.
His successes in Miami (final defeat against John Isner) and Monte Carlo (semi-final, defeat against Kei Nishikori) freed him from the pressure to defend 1000 points in Rome.
Only 250 are available in Munich, on the way to the final Zverev is now facing the next German task after Struff. In the Davis Cup they won side by side in Australia, a few weeks later in Valencia Struff and Tim Pütz took the German 2-1 lead, Zverev lost to Rafael Nadal on the final day. And Philipp Kohlschreiber in an epic against David Ferrer.
Struff and Zverev played in Monte Carlo just a few days ago, the favourite had prevailed in three sets at his home town. The revenge, however, will not take place until Friday. On Thursday it should be Alexander Zverev who honours the grandstand: “Then Brother Mischa will play. Against the triple Munich Champion Philipp Kohlschreiber.