ATP Finals – Drama about Matteo Berrettini: Local hero has to give up against Alexander Zverev

First Alexander Zverev defied the Turin madhouse, then he had to give consolation. The Olympic tennis champion won his opening match at the ATP Finals against the loudly cheered local hero Matteo Berrettini, but benefited from an injury to the Italian. Zverev led 7: 6 (9: 7), 1: 0 before the Wimbledon finalist had to give up – he comforted the emotional Berrettini with a warm hug and painted a sad smiley on the camera.

“I don’t know what to say. He’s playing at home, that’s the worst feeling you can have,” said Zverev after Berrettini left the court: “The first set was tennis at an incredibly high level. But that’s not important. In the end, two healthy players have to shake hands. “

Zverev, who won the season finale of the eight best of the year in 2018, took the lead in the red group with defending champion Daniil Medvedev. The US Open champion from Russia, the next opponent of the German number one on Tuesday, had defeated the Polish outsider Hubert Hurkacz 6: 7 (5: 7), 6: 3, 6: 4. The two best players of the two preliminary round groups qualify for the semi-finals.

Zverev heard from the first rally that he didn’t just have to take on Berrettini. While the 7,000 or so spectators at the Pala Alpitour honored his point wins with polite applause, the only Italian in the field was cheered with thunderous jubilation in the style of Davis Cup duels at the better end.

Zverev leaves break opportunities unused

However, Zverev did not manage to put a damper on the mood directly. In the duel between two very strong servers, the Hamburger had four break opportunities in the first set – but left all of them unused. The missed opportunities were acknowledged with loud “Matteo, Matteo” listening.

Zverev had already expected the heated atmosphere, but that didn’t matter to the German number one. “I’m always a fan of it when it’s loud and energetic in the stadium,” said Zverev before the match: “Even when the people are against me.”

Initially, Zverev had clear advantages against the often too hectic Berrettini in longer rallies. But the Italian got better and better into the game with his whipping forehand. With two set balls fended off, the top German player saved himself in the tie-break and used the small weaknesses of his opponent there.

Shortly afterwards, disaster for Berrettini took its course. His face contorted with pain, he dropped his bat and called the physiotherapist. He had his lateral abdominal muscles treated, but then had to give up to the encouraging applause of his compatriots.

(SID)