The Boodles: Alexander Zverev convinces in a playful way – and with his charm

Alexander Zverev’s relaxed performance at the invitational tournament “The Boodles”: The world’s number three defeated Albert Ramos Vinolas in two sets and also scored points with the audience.

Alexander Zverev took an extra day. The German number one should have made her first appearance at The Boodles 2018 on Wednesday, but the match against Juan Martin del Potro, scheduled for 3:30 pm CEST, was played by Taylor Fritz.

Whether the short-term change of plan had anything to do with the simultaneous appearance of the World Cup in Russia can be speculated. If this has been the case, then the coming days look reasonably relaxed for Zverev. Not so by the way for del Potro: The Argenitinian will be indispensable on Saturday at 4 pm, the US Open winner of 2009 announced after his victory against Taylor Fritz on Wednesday. Then Argentina will play France.

Perhaps, however, the Hamburg native has prepared himself seriously for Wimbledon only one day longer, the week in Halle/Westphalia ended with the final entry in doubles at Brother Mischa’s side.

But Alexander Zverev will not have been wrong that on Thursday he stayed in Stoke Park on the other side of the network Pablo Carreno Busta instead of del Potro. The Spaniard is not considered a turf specialist and, unlike del Potro, gives his opponents an even playing rhythm.

Zverev competed with a bandaged left thigh, but had the match under control at all times. And in the meantime also enough leisure to make a few selfies with spectators – mainly female ones. Meanwhile, Carreno Busta sipped relaxed on a glass of champagne.

6:4 and 6:4 the final result for Zverev, who of course appreciates the sporting value of the show fight organized by his manager Patricio Apey. And the audience was offered one last bon mot: Asked about his brother Mischa, who recently married and will soon become a father, Sascha announced that he is still unattached. Much to the delight of some ladies.

That Zverev also met his “Buddy” JP from the press conferences at the French Open after the match finally rounded off the relaxed day of the 21-year-old.