Alexander Zverev’s big fight – the German number one defeated the 18-year-old Australian after almost four hours at the start of the Davis Cup match in Brisbane with 7:5,4:6,4:6,6:3 and 7:6 (4).
Alexander Zverev led the German Davis Cup team 1-0 against Australia after a nervous defeat. Fifth in the world rankings, however, had considerably more trouble than expected against the 18-year-old debutant Alex de Minaur. Zverev made up a 3-0 deficit in Brisbane in the decisive set and only converted his first match point after 3:54 hours to 7:5,4:6,4:6:6,6:3,7:6 (7:4).
In the second singles, Jan-Lennard Struff (Warstein) will face the Australian top player Nick Kyrgios. In another victory, the selection of the German Tennis Association (DTB) is missing only one point to enter the quarter-finals. In the doubles on Saturday (4:00 a. m. CET/DAZN) the Australians are the favourites.
For Zverev it was only his second victory in the sixth match for Germany. No other player in this Davis Cup week is currently as highly placed in the ATP ranking as the native of Hamburg. Against the world rankings-139. de Minaur, Zverev was on the verge of defeat. Especially in the second and third sets he could hardly find a remedy against the quick as lightning youngster. In the decisive tie-break Zverev kept his nerves, opened the short decision with two aces. In the end, Zverev was enough to win a mini-break in the Pat Rafter Arena.
After the match, Zverev was not only satisfied with his own performance – he also praised the Australian audience for their enthusiasm. Towards the end of the fourth set, the best German player still felt disturbed by some fans.
Four years ago, the German team had successfully completed its first Davis Cup round four years ago. Last year, captain Michael Kohlmann’s squad in Portugal, without top player Zverev, secured their place in the world group last year. At that time, Struff scored two points.
The winner of the match in Australia will play in the quarter-finals (6th place). till 8. April) either against Great Britain or Spain. In September, the loser has to fight in the relegation for his place among the top 16 tennis nations, which make up the title.
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