Alexander Zverev

[Damian]

[Damian]

Zverev, Rublev stay solid in Hamburg openers

Spoiler:

Hometown hero Zverev to face Muller next
May 19, 2025
Extended Highlights: Zverev, Engel shine in Hamburg 2025
Alexander Zverev and 17-year-old countryman Justin Engel enjoy Monday wins in Hamburg, Watch live & on demand at TennisTV.com. Photo: Witters

Alexander Zverev downs Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday at the Bitpanda Hamburg Open.
By Andy West
Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev both know what it takes to win at the Bitpanda Hamburg Open, and both showcased that fact in style on Monday at the ATP 500.

The only former champions in the draw at the clay-court event, Zverev and Rublev each notched straight-sets wins to kick-start their 2025 campaigns. Competing in his hometown, top seed Zverev held firm after letting slip a 4-1 lead in the second set to secure a 6-1, 7-6(5) victory against qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic.


“It was good. Especially the first set and a half was almost perfect,” said Zverev, who tallied 24 winners to just 12 unforced errors against American Kovacevic. “Obviously I’m extremely happy about the level and looking forward to the next matches.

“[In the second set] he started hitting the ball extremely hard and being unbelievably aggressive, and sometimes I was not in control of the rallies anymore. Credit to him, and I’m happy with the win.”

The 28-year-old German has now won 13 of his past 15 matches in Hamburg, where he lifted the trophy in 2023 and reached the championship match a year ago. Awaiting the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings in the second round will be Alexandre Muller, who saw off Elias Ymer 6-3, 7-5. Zverev has won both his previous Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes with Muller, including one at another German clay-court ATP 500 in Munich last month.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev- ... 025-monday

[Art]

[Art]

[Art]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Bombardiero]

[Kamileki]

[Kamileki]

[Art]

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[Damian]

4) Zverev looking to break major duck: Last year, Zverev came within a set of winning his first major in Paris, only to fall to Alcaraz in five sets. The German began this season by reaching another major final at the Australian Open, only for Sinner to stop him. Aiming to capture his maiden major this fortnight, the 28-year-old arrives off the back of a disappointing second-round exit to Alexandre Muller in Hamburg.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/roland- ... ing-report

[Damian]

[Damian]

Last year’s Roland Garros runner-up, Alexander Zverev claimed a contrasting 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 first-round win over Tien on Tuesday. The third seed, who was also defeated by the American in Acapulco in February, saved all four break points faced during the one-hour, 53-minute clash.

The third-seeded Zverev, who has reached the semi-finals in each of his past four appearances at the clay-court major, will next play Francesco Passaro or Jesper de Jong.

“I’m very happy to be back in Paris, Roland Garros is a very special place to me,” said Zverev. “It was a good start to the tournament, very happy with the three set win. Hopefully it’s going to continue like this, and hopefully it’s going to be a fun two weeks here.”

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/alex ... >Alexander Zverev</a>Alexander Zverev in action on Tuesday at Roland Garros. Photo: Peter Staples.

Zverev has experienced a topsy-turvy season since reaching his third major final in Melbourne in January. The German notably fell to opening-round defeats in Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo before triumphing at the ATP 500 in Munich. After surrendering the World No. 2 spot to Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev will hope to reignite his best form in Paris.

Last year, Zverev ended the Roland Garros career of 14-time champion Rafael Nadal in the first round. The Spaniard was honoured with a permanent plaque on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/medvede ... 25-tuesday

[Kamileki]

[Kamileki]

[Kamileki]

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