Bitter end for Alexander Zverev (25) at the Australian Open!
The Olympic champion lost 7:6, 4:6, 3:6, 2:6 to the American Michael Mmoh (25). Even a bird that shit on his head in the second set brought no luck, contrary to legend.
After seven months injury break his second appearance in Melbourne was already his last. And that once morest a player who lost in the qualification but moved into the main draw following cancellations by other professionals.
Girlfriend Sophia Thomalla (33) suffered once more in his box. Unlike on Tuesday, this time she presented herself with a high neck instead of tight panties. However, it was also cold. The thermometer didn’t show 20 degrees. Also this time the roof of the Margaret Court Arena was open, so that the cold wind did the rest.
But the Hamburger started well, landing a quick break and seemed to serve the set. But just when he served to win the set, he made two double mistakes, so that Mmoh equalized to 5:5.
As in the first match once morest the Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas, Zverev showed his best tennis in the tie break. He easily won 7:1 with some strong punches, which he missed before and which made life difficult for himself.
But there was no security. He gave up the first service game of the second set to zero. He got the break back, but only to hand over the service once more. Zverev made life difficult for himself. In addition, an injury seemed to hinder him. From time to time Zverev touched his thigh.
So it fit into the picture that a bird shit on his head. Zverev took it with a smile, went to the bank and wiped the misfortune out of his hair with a towel as best he might. But what was supposed to bring luck didn’t bring luck this time: He lost the second set 4:6.
And the drama continued. Zverev also had to give up his serve to make it 3: 4 in the third round, but mightn’t turn it around there either and lost 3: 6. An unbelievable 49 unforced errors were in the statistics at this point.
Zverev simply didn’t know a recipe once morest the American, who was by no means particularly good at playing and was only 107th in the world rankings. The own error rate was simply too high. So it was quickly 0:2 in the fourth set.
But this time he fought back and equalized to make it 2-2. But that didn’t boost his confidence. In the next service game, three double mistakes meant the end – 2:4. After 3:26 hours, the outsider converted his first match point to 6:2.