Alexander Zverev delivered a rock-solid performance Tuesday to down Dominic Thiem at the Terra Wortmann Open. It was both men's first grass-court match since 2021.
The home favourite Zverev prevailed 6-3, 6-4 at Halle’s OWL Arena to advance to a second-round clash against Denis Shapovalov. Zverev kept Thiem under pressure throughout with a sublime serving performance during which he saved the only break point he faced, with the 26-year-old finishing having won 85 per cent (29/34) of points behind his first delivery.
With his 79-minute triumph, Zverev improved to 4-8 in his ATP Head2Head series with Thiem. The World No. 22 now holds a 13-6 record in Halle, where he reached the final in 2016 (l. to Mayer) and 2017 (l. to Federer).
More to follow…