Laver Cup in Berlin: Zverev loses again to Fritz

Germany’s best tennis player Alexander Zverev also lost the quick reunion with the American at the Laver Cup in Berlin. With the 4:6, 5:7 on Saturday (September 21, 2024) in the second encounter within a few hours, the Hamburg native failed to put his Team Europe 6:4 ahead.

Just two weeks ago, Zverev suffered a painful defeat in the quarterfinals of the US Open against local hero Fritz, who was gradually becoming something of a bogeyman.

At the show tournament in the Arena am Ostbahnhof, it was the German’s first game in the singles competition. On Friday, the world number two had already lost in the doubles with number three Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) against Fritz and Ben Shelton.

Overall, it was the fourth singles encounter in the calendar year between the Hamburg native and Fritz, and he had also lost to the American at Wimbledon. Zverev had only achieved success in his tournament victory in Rome.

Another defeat for the exhausted Zverev against Fritz

The party initially developed into a copy of the duel in New York. Zverev, who was far too passive, made numerous simple mistakes. In the second set, the Hamburg player played more courageously and took Fritz’s serve for the first time. But Zverev seemed exhausted, especially after the long rallies, and sought treatment in between.

Previously, world number three Carlos Alcaraz had equalized for Team Europe at the Laver Cup. The Spaniard defeated the American Ben Shelton 6:4, 6:4. Frances Tiafoe had put Team USA ahead against Daniil Medvedev with a 3:6, 6:4, 10:5 victory.

The final doubles match pitted Casper Ruud (Norway) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) against Shelton and Alejandro Tabilo (Chile).

Twelve games in Berlin

In the team competition, which is based on the Ryder Cup in golf, Team Europe will face a world selection. A total of twelve matches will be played over three days in Berlin.

To win, a team must score 13 points, with games won counting for one point on the first day, two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday.