Tennis: Matchball awarded: Zverev misses the final in Toronto

Alexander Zverev shouldered his tennis bag and quickly disappeared from the Center Court in Toronto. He had previously missed the great chance of a final entry shortly before the start of the US Open in the Masters in the Canadian metropolis. Against the Russian Karen Chatsch, whom he defeated four years ago in the Tokyo Olympic final, the German 3: 6, 6: 4, 6: 7 (4: 7).

In the third set, Zverev had a match ball against the beating Chasthanow, but failed on the power edge and then had to go into the tie -break. The 28-year-old made too many slight mistakes against an opponent who wobbled several times.

Toronto was Zverev’s comeback after his break

Zverev had returned to the tennis tour in Toronto after a break of about a month. After completing his first round in Wimbledon, he had talked about mental problems, prescribed a break and did not take part in any tournament until the start in Canada. After a break, he first trained in the academy of the former world ranking first Rafael Nadal in Mallorca, but a permanent cooperation with his uncle Toni did not initially come about.

Overall, the tournament in Toronto was one step forward for Hamburg. “I think I was very brave in the tie -break,” said Zverev. “This is one thing that I wanted to change, one thing I wanted to work on. I have a few balls that I would like to have, I would not have ended. But that’s how it was,” he added.

The power edge helps Chasthanow

“When the network roller comes across, we won’t be here and speak here,” said Chatschathanow on his winner interview on the pitch. “It was a very demanding physical game. I am very happy.” It was about not being negative moments.

In the end he succeeded better than Zverev, who, in his own words, did not feel so good for the ball. “Then it is normal for you to make a few more mistakes than in such situations. But that’s okay, it goes on. I have a new chance in Cincinnati in a few days,” said Zverev with a view to the US Open General rehearsal. The individual competition at the Grand Slam tournament in New York then begins on August 24th.

In the final with a total of around 9.2 million US dollars (around 8 million euros), Hartplatz tournament in Canada endorsed in the final on Thursday (local time) to the American Ben Shelton, who prevailed 6: 4, 6: 3 against his compatriot Taylor Fritz.

As in the first rounds of the tournament, Zverev had difficulty starting the game and clearly lost the first set. Chatschshanow looked more aggressive, agile and lively than the German one on number one. The break to 3-1 was already the decision in the first round, Zverev no longer recovered.

Zverev strong in the second set, but shaky again in the third

In the second set, Zverev was much more present and also won the long rallies. The 28-year-old showed the fist several times after successful points and, after good scenes, also received the recognition of the audience. Zverev used all eleven opportunities on the network to win the point and immediately won the sentence compensation with the first break chance of the game.

The second after 2:41 hours meant a match ball. An unfortunate ball on the net prevented the victory and Chasthanow saved himself in the tie -break in which he used his second match ball. In the end, the 44 avoidable mistakes from Zverev were too many.