Final Up to date: December 31, 2022, 11:08 IST
Alexander Zverev Crashed in First ATP Match Since Ankle Harm in June (AP Picture)
Former world quantity two Alexander Zverev misplaced 6-4, 6-2 to 81st-ranked Jiri Lehecka at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Area
Rusty former world quantity two Alexander Zverev crashed to defeat Saturday in his first ATP match since tearing ankle ligaments on the French Open in June.
The 2-time ATP Finals champion hit eight double faults in dropping 6-4, 6-2 to 81st-ranked Jiri Lehecka at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Area to present the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead of their tie in opposition to Germany.
It was Zverev’s first aggressive match since tearing three proper ankle ligaments throughout his Roland Garros semi-final in opposition to Rafael Nadal, when he left courtroom in a wheelchair.
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A deliberate return on the Davis Cup in September got here up brief when Zverev pulled out after experiencing “excessive ache”.
The Olympic champion, who has dropped to 12 on the planet from a career-high two earlier than his damage, was clearly nonetheless struggling in opposition to Lehecka.
He fended off break factors at 2-3 within the first set however a double fault at 4-5 handed the Czech set level and he grabbed the chance, changing with a lob.
The German labored two break factors within the first recreation of the second set, however blew the prospect with some wayward photographs.
Along with his serve not firing, he was damaged to go 3-1 behind and regardless of breaking straight again couldn’t maintain the stress with one other double fault, serving to Lehecka go 2-4 in entrance and there was no means again.
“I knew earlier than the match that he didn’t play for some time however with a participant like this, it might after all imply nothing,” mentioned Lehecka, 21, after one in every of his greatest wins.
“I used to be capable of present up in essential moments. All of the expertise from final 12 months, dropping to good gamers, gave me the boldness to play in opposition to a participant like him.”
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The Czechs misplaced their opening tie within the match — a brand new 18-country mixed-teams occasion being held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney — to america 4-1. Germany have been making their first look.
Spain’s 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal and Polish ladies’s world primary Iga Swiatek play later.
World quantity two Nadal opens Saturday’s second session in Sydney in opposition to Britain’s Cameron Norrie, ranked 14. They’ve performed 4 occasions earlier than, with Norrie but to win.
Swiatek, who has led the rankings for 39 weeks, faces Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Area, having received their solely earlier assembly in straight units
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