Australian Open
Alexander Zverev missed the first Grand Slam title again
Bitter defeat for Alexander Zverev: In the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne, the tennis star once again missed the victory and has to give up the Italian Sinner.
Visibly drawn by the renewed final trauma, Alexander Zverev dared a short look at the silver trophy, which was only half a meter next to him and yet was so unreachable. “It is shit to stand next to this thing and not be allowed to touch it,” said the German tennis star with a tortured smile after the lost title showdown at the Australian Open against the overwhelming defending champion Jannik Sinner from Italy.
As with the US Open 2020 and the French Open in the previous year, Zverev was only presented with the consolation price after a Grand Slam final. A third time, the Hamburger failed in the last step to the longed-for first title at one of the four major tournaments. But unlike his five-set thrillers against Dominic Thiem and Carlos Alcaraz, he was not even allowed to sniff this time at 3: 6, 6: 7 (4: 7), 3: 6 at the sweet triumph.
“I had hoped to raise more resistance. But you were too good-that’s that simple,” said number two of the tennis world at the world ranking of the world ranking: “There is no one who deserves these trophy more.”
Zverev finds consolation – with the winner, with the audience, at Becker
Sinner, who was able to win his three previous Grand Slam finals, showed himself as sportsman and comforted Zverev with words and deeds. “It’s a hard day for you again. You are an incredible player, believe in yourself,” said the 23-year-old. Everyone on the tour knew “how strong you are, not only as a player, but also as a person”. He was certain that Zverev “very soon” can lift one of the four Grand Slam trophies.
Before the award ceremony, Sinner had put both hands on Zverev’s shoulders, talked to him and then hugged him. Boris Becker also expressed a “giant compliment” at Eurosport. “Fantastic tournament played, fantastic attitude – but he lost to a better today.”
Dissatisfied with second place
With his triumph in Melbourne in 1996, Becker remains the last German Grand Slam tournament winner with the men. Zverev has to take a new attempt. During his speech, he praised his team – and criticized himself: “I’m just not good enough – it’s that simple.” In response, there was applause from the audience – Becker reacted almost stunned on the microphone: “Say something, Sascha, you are the second best player in the world, my god.”
But all of the construction attempts comforted Zverev little. He largely followed the award ceremony with the arms and an empty look, he showed his silver shell for second place without real joy. In the history of profit tennis, only five players had lost their first three Grand Slam finals in front of him.
Becker: “Perfect Match” by Sinner
Sinner, who brought his 21st win in a row, wrote tennis history for his home country. He is now the most successful player in Italy with three Grand Slam titles-and that at the age of 23.
On the Australian national holiday, Zverev had almost no access in his opponent’s surcharge. In the entire match he could not develop a single breakball. “Jannik Sinner showed a perfect match,” praised Becker.
The Italian emerged as the winner from most longer rallies. Zverev made too many mistakes, especially with the forehand, the length in his strokes often did not fit. Some stops and volleys also failed.
Sinner, who had to struggle with physical problems during the tournament, had to survive a frightened second in the second set at 3: 4: After a long failure, he reached his hand on the rear left thigh. But there was no physical slump.
In the lost tiebreak, Zverev was very unlucky when he was falling behind through a network roller to 4: 5. He then let his frustration out on the bench by thrusting the racket on his pocket. Sinner remained dominant and converted his first match ball after 2:42 hours.
“It is astonishing how Jannik Sinner let these background noises cold,” said Becker. Sinner is accompanied by a doping shade. Due to the negotiation in front of the International Sports Court CAS in April, he still threatens a lock of up to two years because of his acquittal after two positive doping test.
Note: This post has been updated.
Dpa
CL
Source: Stern

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