HALLE, WESTPHALIA/STARNBERG, June 18, 2024

Alexander Zverev has booked his spot in the second round of the Terra Wortmann Open following a hard-fought first-round victory over fellow German Oscar Otte. The No. 2 seed of the ATP Tour 500 event in Halle, Westphalia beat the qualifier 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday.

In his first match on grass this season, Zverev fired 28 aces and won 79 per cent of his first-service points. He saved all three break points he faced and converted two of his own seven break-point chances to secure victory in two hours and 17 minutes.

Sascha’s moving 🔛@AlexZverev wins the all-German clash with Otte 6-7 6-3 6-4 🇩🇪#TerraWortmannOpen pic.twitter.com/bTsggYSTau

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 18, 2024

“A week ago, I was playing on clay still basically. He made it very tough for me, no rhythm at all,” Zverev said in his on-court interview. “That’s how grass-court tennis is sometimes and I’m just happy with the win. He did make it extremely difficult for me, so credit to him. I’m obviously happy that I won and hopefully it’s going to be a level above in the next match.” Zverev will next take on Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

Sinner successful as World No. 1

Earlier in the day, top seed Jannik Sinner also had to go the distance against Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-2. The World No. 1 struck 15 aces and didn’t lose his serve, prevailing after two hours and 22 minutes.

“It was for sure mentally tough,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “I was 5-1 up in the tie-break in the first set. But this can happen, especially on this surface, it can go very, very fast. I think I was good mentally. I was struggling in the second set, 0-40 down on my serve. If he makes that point, it is even more difficult.

“But it’s all about trying to get the confidence back, especially on this surface and I have shown that. Hopefully I can show some good tennis also in the next round.” Up next for Sinner will be Fabian Marozsan of Hungary.