By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday July 30, 2023
Alexander Zverev claimed the title without dropping a single set and became the first German to triumph at Hamburg since 1993.
Photo Source: TTV
Alexander Zverev claimed his 20th title on Sunday at the Hamburg European Open, the 26-year-old cruising through the draw without dropping a single set, capping his run with a decisive 7-5, 6-3 victory over Serbia’s Laslo Djere.
The former World No.2 claims his first title since Madrid 2022. More importantly, it’s his first since suffering a debilitating ankle injury at Roland-Garros last spring which caused him to undergo surgery. Zverev tore three ligaments in his right ankle, then suffered a setback last September during his rehab, when he picked up a foot injury.
“It’s almost like a first title again,” Zverev told the crowd.
It has been a long and painstaking process but the German is in top form once again, and he proved that on Sunday as she battled past 57th-ranked Djere, cracking open a tight first set with a majestic lob winner to break serve in the 12th game.
Zverev, born and raised in Hamburg, saved all four break points he faced in the opening set, while serving at 4-4, before taking the lead for good.
The German carried the momentum in the second set, breaking for 3-1 and holding serve the rest of the way. He served out the match, winning the final four points from 0-15 to lock up the title in style with a forehand crosscourt winner before dropping to his knees on the court, the tears of joy – and relief – flowing.
Zverev cracked 22 winners against 13 unforced errors; Djere managed 17 winners against 18 unforced.
By winning the title, Zverev becomes the first German to win in Hamburg since Michael Stich in 1993.
“At the end of the day, this is my home, this is where I grew up, and this where I started playing tennis,” Zverev said after his victory. “It was incredible for me, incredibly emotional. I can’t describe it in words, I’m just super happy right now.”