ATP: Zverev defeats Chung for the first time – and reaches the final in Munich

Alexander Zverev is in the final of the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Munich as last year: The defending champion defeated South Korean Hyeon Chung and will face either Philipp Kohlschreiber or Maximilian Marterer on Sunday.

Alexander Zverev could become the first player since Franco Squillari in 2000 to defend his title at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Munich: The German number one defeated Hyeon Chung from South Korea 7-5 and 6-2 and will definitely face a compatriot in the final. In the second semi-final Philipp Kohlschreiber and Maximilian Marterer will meet.

Before the third meeting with Chung, Zverev had made a big comparison: Chung plays like Novak Djokovic in his best time, make hardly any mistakes. And, not insignificant either, his opponent’s thighs would have doubled since junior days. At least.

In fact, the match was completely different from the quarter-final against Jan-Lennard Struff: The latter plays the ball rather fast and flat, succeeds with his serve. Chung, on the other hand, only goes straight to the point when he has earned an advantageous position on the pitch.

Chung started better, broke 3-0. Zverev countered with five consecutive wins, but could not close the first set at 5-4. This was achieved two games later, albeit only at the fourth attempt. Zverev only won six of 14 points in the first round after his second serve – with the first, however, the German scored simple points again and again. Unlike Chung.

Zverev had stayed at the MTTC Iphitos facility even longer on Friday, watched buddy Marcelo Melo and his partner Lukasz Kubot during their double defeat against Alexander Peya and Nikola Mektic. Zverev did not take suggestions for his own game with him – net attacks remained, as in the rounds before, the big exception.

Nevertheless, Zverev was the more aggressive player throughout the match, presenting Chung with high topspin balls with worse problems, but frivolously missed several break chances at the beginning of round two. Chung finally helped with an unsuccessful stop to 1:2. The next break followed for 4-1, Zverev was the clear boss on the court. Chung had two more break points in the last game, but after 91 minutes Zverev closed the sack with his second match point.

Here the single tableau in Munich