Alexander Zverev started the new tennis season with a victory. The Olympic champion equalized for the German team in the duel with Italy at the United Cup in Sydney after Angelique Kerber’s opening defeat.
Zverev (26) defeated Lorenzo Sonego (28) in 2:52 hours 6:7 (5:7), 6:3, 6:4. The subsequent double ensures the decision in the first group game of the German selection in the mixed team competition.
In a balanced opening set, Zverev made a slight volley error in the tie-break when the score was 5:5, Sonego took the opportunity to win the first round. Overall, however, Zverev showed a concentrated performance and didn’t give up his serve once. In the decisive set, the seventh in the world rankings managed a break right at the start and maintained this lead confidently. “It was an incredible match from both of them,” said Zverev. “For the first match of the season I really can’t complain.”
Kerber had previously been beaten 4:6, 5:7 by the Italian Jasmine Paolini (27) in her comeback after an 18-month maternity break. The 35-year-old served six times in 1:48 hours. Kerber played her last game to date a year and a half ago and gave birth to her daughter Liana at the end of February. The United Cup is being played in preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, which begins in two weeks.
