Zoned-In Zverev Tames Thiem In Halle

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.

“I’m happy to get the win,” said Zverev. “Obviously grass is a difficult surface to get a rhythm on. It was a typical grass match, in a way, one break in each set. All-in-all I’m happy to be through and hopefully will have some more matches here.

“I was moving well. I was not hitting the ball as well as I wanted to, but it’s very difficult, the first time on grass in two years.”

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).

“I think [the crowd] will help me a lot tomorrow, but he’s an excellent grass-court player,” said Zverev, when asked about his second-round opponent Shapovalov. “He’s been to the semi-finals of Wimbledon, so it’s one of his favourite surfaces I think. I’m looking forward to that match because I think it’s going to be a real challenge.”

Defending champion Hubert Hurkacz also advanced to the second round after holding off an inspired comeback by qualifer Christopher Eubanks.

Eubanks saved four match points in the second-set tie-break before forcing a decider in his maiden ATP Head2Head meeting with Hurkacz. An early break in the third set was enough for Hurkacz to claim a two-hour, three-minute victory, however, as the sixth seed prevailed 6-4, 6-7(11), 6-3 to move to a 6-2 career record in Halle.

The defending champ is through to R2 in Halle! 👏@HubertHurkacz fights past Eubanks 6-4 6-7(11) 6-3.@ATPHalle | #TerraWortmannOpen pic.twitter.com/9VTS9aJcXF

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 20, 2023

Hurkacz’s second-round opponent will be Tallon Griekspoor, who defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2, 7-5. It was a sixth consecutive tour-level victory for Griekspoor, who lifted his maiden ATP Tour title on grass in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last week.