Upset in Hamburg! Zverev Stunned in Opening Match

Alexander Zverev’s hopes for a strong showing at his home tournament, the Hamburg Open, were dashed in a stunning upset on Wednesday. The top-seeded Zverev was defeated by French player Alexandre Muller in a hard-fought match that ended 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5).

Muller Claims Biggest Win of His Career

For the 28-year-old Muller, this victory marks the biggest of his career. Ranked No. 40 in the world, Muller displayed remarkable composure and skill, going toe-to-toe with the world No. 3 Zverev from the baseline. Muller’s solid serve and strategic play proved to be the key to his triumph in the two-hour, 41-minute epic.

“Wednesday was a day of personal milestones for Alexandre Muller at the Bitpanda Hamburg Open,” according to the ATP Tour website. He has now set a personal best for tour-level match wins in a single season, with 17 victories.

Match Highlights

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players showcasing their strengths.

• First Set: Muller came out strong, taking the first set 6-3.
• Second Set: Zverev rebounded in the second set, securing a 6-4 win.
• Third Set: The final set was a nail-biter, with both players exchanging breaks. The tiebreak saw Muller edge ahead, ultimately sealing the victory 7-6(5).

Zverev Blames Illness

Following his defeat, Zverev attributed his lackluster performance to illness. “It was OK considering I threw up 37 times and had a fever of 39.4 degrees (Celsius, 102.9 Fahrenheit) all night,” Zverev stated. He added, “I was two points away from winning the match. There’s a lot to be said in my favour.”

Zverev also suggested that Muller recognized his poor condition and adjusted his strategy accordingly. “When I had to walk it was difficult. He then realised at some point I wasn’t feeling well and made the points last as long as possible.”

Impact on Zverev’s French Open Preparation

This early exit is a significant blow to Zverev’s preparation for the upcoming French Open. He had hoped to gain momentum at his hometown tournament, but now faces a race against time to recover physically and mentally before the Grand Slam.

Muller’s Road Ahead

With this significant win under his belt, Muller advances to the quarter-finals, where he will face Felix Auger-Aliassime. This marks only his second quarter-final appearance at the ATP 500 level or above, presenting a golden opportunity to further his impressive run.

Other Notable Hamburg Open Results

The Hamburg Open has seen other notable results as well:

• Andrey Rublev, the third seed, started strong with a 6-3, 7-5 victory against Justin Engel.
• Roberto Bautista Agut defeated second seed Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 6-3.
• Jiri Lehecka and Tomas Martin Etcheverry have set up a quarter-final clash after their respective wins.

Zverev’s Hamburg History

Zverev’s best result in Hamburg was winning the title in 2023. In 2024, he had a heated argument with Arthur Fils over an underarm serve.

Looking Ahead

While Zverev will be focusing on recovering for the French Open, Alexandre Muller will be riding high on confidence as he continues his Hamburg Open campaign. This unexpected result serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis and the opportunities it presents for players to achieve career-defining moments.