Tsitsipas records first win of the year, over Zverev
Stefanos Tsitsipas was clinical as he picked up his first win of the season at the ATP Cup in Brisbane on Sunday against a temperamental Alexander Zverev of Germany, who was almost reduced to tears due to problems over his serve.
Nick Kyrgios’ late withdrawal due to a back problem did not stop Australia from defeating Canada, as the hosts became the first to seal a quarterfinal spot with their second 3-0 win in the inaugural team event.
Australia had beaten Germany in their opening tie and qualified for the Final Eight stage in Sydney as Group F winners after Germany beat Greece 2-1 in the evening session.
ATP Finals champion Tsitsipas made it five straight wins against the German world number seven with a breezy 6-1 6-4 victory as Zverev cut a frustrated figure with 10 double faults and a first serve percentage of just 45.
Tsitsipas returned to the Pat Rafter Arena for the deciding doubles but went down 3-6 6-3 (17-15) as Greece suffered their second loss in the inaugural $15 million ATP Cup, which features 24 nations competing in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney over 10 days.
Against world number 6 Tsitsipas Zverev flung his racquet away twice and appeared almost to start crying as he hid his face in his palms after a service break in the second set.
Tsitsipas, who defeated Federer and Dominic Thiem to win the ATP Finals in November, lost his opening match against Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the event but maintained Zen-like focus in the face of all the drama across the court on Sunday and closed out the match under 75 minutes.
“Proud of myself, worked very hard for this win. Found solutions, found my rhythm, my pace, knew what I was doing on court,” the 21-year-old said in a courtside interview.
[Reuters]
