Tennis - Alexander Zverev loses Marathon-Finale in Hamburg narrowly
Tennis professional Alexander Zverev came close to successfully defending his title at his home tournament in Hamburg. The Olympic champion and previous year's winner lost in a memorable marathon final against the rising Frenchman Arthur Fils, 3:6, 6:3, 6:7 (1:7). The 20-year-old Fils converted his first match point after 3 hours and 33 minutes in front of 10,000 spectators at the Rothenbaum Stadium. Zverev would have been the first German since Gottfried von Cramm in 1949 to successfully defend the title at this traditional tournament. The world number four appeared unwell in the final. His heavy left knee seemed to be causing him more trouble than the court temperature above 30 degrees. In the first set, the 27-year-old asked for medical assistance once.
Despite the loss, Zverev can be satisfied with the preparation for the Olympics in Paris. He impressed especially in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
The currently best German doubles team Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz successfully defended their title in Hamburg before the Olympic tournament. The duo from Coburg and Frankfurt/Main defeated the Frenchmen Fabien Reboul/Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7:6 (10:8), 6:2.
- Alexander Zverev, a renowned tennis professional, was attempting to defend his ATP500 title at his Home tournament in Hamburg.
- Despite putting up a strong fight, Zverev fell short in the final against the rising Frenchman Arthur Fils, who is known for his impressive play in the ATP500 tournament.
- Playing in front of a crowd of 10,000 spectators at the Rothenbaum Stadium, Fils clinched the victory after a challenging 3-hour and 33-minute match, converting his first match point.
- Had Zverev won, he would have become the first German since Gottfried von Cramm in 1949 to successfully defend the title at this traditional tournament in Germany.
