Alexander Zverev said he does not expect to play his best tennis in his first match of the year, but is happy to start the new season with a win. Zverev defeated last year’s Indian Wells Masters champion Cameron Norrie in the ATP Cup, winning 7-6 (2), 6-1.
Zverev struggled a bit in the first set, but saved a set point on his 10th before dominating the tiebreak to win a tight first set. “The first game of the year will never be the best match of your life,” Zverev said on the ATP Cup website.
“But I am very happy with my job. We are here to try and win.”
Zverev predicted a tough match against Nuri
“Yes, matches are tough,” Zverev said before the match.
“I am playing against Cameron Norrie… to start the year against the 12th seed in the world, this can only be for me in this event. It is a huge challenge. I will know exactly where I stand after the first matches.” Zverev skipped the Davis Cup Finals, but made himself available for the ATP Cup.
Zverev made it clear that he came to the ATP Cup to win the title. “We are here as a team and we are trying to win,” Zverev said at the pre-tournament press conference. “Last year we reached the semi-finals and beat two very good teams: Canada and the defending champions Serbia.
I think everyone has to play their part in this team, no matter if we’re on the field or off the field. “Unfortunately, Germany lost to Great Britain on opening day. Dan Evans defeated Jean-Lennard Struve in the series opener 6-1, 6-2 before Zverev had to have a decisive match.
In the decisive match, Evans and Jimmy Murray defeated Zverev and Kevin Krawetz. It remains to be seen if Germany will stand on its own two feet in the next match.