ATP: ATP Basel: Nervous Zverev takes revenge on Haase

Alexander Zverev has made a successful start at the Basel Swiss Indoors. The German defeated the Dutchman Robin Haase 6:4 and 7:5 and took revenge for the defeat in Cincinnati.

The Hamburg player started furiously against the 31-year-old and immediately took away his serve to 2-0. After two break points Zverev quickly took the lead to 4:1.

But Haase, who had won the last two encounters against the 21-year-old in Paris-Bercy and Cincinnati, fought his way back into the first half and used his fifth break point to score 3-4 from his point of view. Especially the net attacks of the German were not successful in this phase, the number 47 of the ATP world rankings passed him again and again.

However, Zverev did not let his short weakness phase put him off and struck at the decisive moment: At 5:4 he broke his opponent and was able to cheer the set win. Especially impressive: Zverev was able to use his only two break opportunities, while Haase only turned one of five opportunities.

Ivan Lendl’s protégé was also able to transport this nerve strength into the second run. At the score of 1:1 the Hamburg player defused four break balls of his opponent – already in the next service game the missed opportunities for Haase should take revenge: Zverev broke to 3-1.

This advantage could not be taken by the world ranking list fifth up to 5:3. But then Haase attacked the serve again and Zverev actually lost the service to 5:4. In the following game, the German could not use a 15:30 – Haase equalized after 2:5 lag to 5:5.

After a sovereign service game at 6:5, the 21-year-old attacked again in the next game. And this time it should be enough: Zverev turned the first match point into a 6:4 and 7:5 victory. For him, the next round is now against the Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin.

The single tableau of the Basel Swiss Indoors