World no. 2 Alexander Zverev did not lead Germany against Kazakhstan at the United Cup on Wednesday. Last year’s champions could not pass challenging opponents without their best player, suffering a loss and blowing the title defense dreams.
Alexander withdrew ahead of the Alexander Shevchenko clash, citing a biceps strain injury and missing his third match of the season. Thus, world no. 2 gathered dark clouds over his hopes for the Australian Open title.
Still, he has enough time to heal and compete in Melbourne at 100%. Alexander wrapped up the 2024 season in the top-2 for the first time in a career.
Flipping the script 📄
Zverev pulls out the ultimate comeback against Zhang to win 2-6 6-0 6-2 🇩🇪#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/hfsZyJaxOe
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 30, 2024
The German opened the new campaign at the United Cup and scored two victories before ending his campaign due to an injury. Zverev faced Thiago Monteiro in the first match of the season.
Alexander Zverev, United Cup 2025© Stream screenshot
The favorite provided a 6-4, 6-4 triumph in an hour and 17 minutes. Alexander landed 11 aces and kept everything under control in his games. Monteiro failed to create break points and felt the pressure. A left-hander collected eight games but could not extend the duel.
Monteiro faced four break points and lost serve once in each set to push Zverev over the top. The German made a push in the first game of the encounter and forced the Brazilian’s mistake for a break and an early advantage.
Alexander closed games two and four for 3-1 and earned another break chance in game five. Thiago saved it and held to remain in contention. Delivering one good hold after another, Zverev added more service winners to his tally in games six and eight for 5-3.
Alexander Zverev, United Cup 2025© Stream screenshot
Monteiro extended the set with an unreturned serve in game nine. Alexander served for it at 5-4 and fired an ace to wrap up the opener in style. The German secured a break at the beginning of the second set after the rival’s backhand mistake, moving a set and a break in front.
Zverev terminated games two and four with aces and held at love at 3-2 to remain in front. Thiago raised his level behind the initial shot and followed the rival’s pace. However, he could not create break points and put world no. 2 under pressure.
Zverev closed the eighth game with a forehand winner and landed a service winner on a match point at 5-4 to emerge at the top. Alexander fought against Zhizhen Zhang in the second match of the season and made a slow start.
Alexander Zverev, United Cup 2025© Stream screenshot
However, he recovered and celebrated a 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory in two hours and five minutes. World no. 2 could not find his strokes in the opening set. He raised his level and produced a bagel in the second set before sealing the deal with a strong performance in the third.
Zhang could not bring the win home despite a flying start. He created only one break point after the opener and faded from the court, getting broken five times and missing a chance to wrap up a notable win. The Chinese broke in the first game of the duel with a forehand winner.
Alexander Zverev, United Cup 2025© Stream screenshot
He served well for 4-2 and made another push on the return in game seven. Alexander missed a forehand and got broken to find himself 5-2 behind. Zhang wrapped up the opener 6-2 in 32 minutes, dominating and hoping for more in the second set.
However, he lost the ground completely, experiencing a bagel and sending the drive to the other side. Zverev earned his first break in the second game and provided two more for 6-0, forcing a decider after an hour and 24 minutes.
They served well at the beginning of the final set. Zverev secured a break in the sixth game after Zhang’s loose forehand, moving 4-2 in front. Alexander secured another break in the eighth point, sailing over the top and earning his second victory of the season.
Tennis World USA