SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Struggling former world No. 2 Alexander Zverev crashed to a second straight defeat of the season Monday in the United Cup, dismissed by American Taylor Fritz in just 64 minutes.
The German two-time ATP Finals champion slumped 6-1, 6-4 to the world No. 9 in Sydney as he continued his return from serious injury.
It followed a straight-sets loss to 81st-ranked Czech Jiri Lehecka on Saturday in his first competitive match since tearing three right ankle ligaments during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal in June.
“I’ve just been practicing, kind of dialing in some of the things that didn’t feel great for me in the first match,” said Fritz, referring to his opening United Cup win, also against Lehecka.
“I’m still working, practicing and trying to improve.”
“I love playing team competition. I’ve always performed in team events,” he added.
“It brings a different energy.”
Fritz had a breakthrough year in 2022, beating Rafael Nadal in the final at Indian Wells to go with titles in Tokyo and Eastbourne.
Zverev struggled with his movement, not chasing at full throttle, and appeared lackluster in the first set, which was over in just 21 minutes — he didn’t win a single point off Fritz’s first serve and only two off the American’s second.
Olympic champion Zverev, who has dropped to 12 in the world from a career-high two before his injury, put up more of a fight in the second set as his confidence grew.
He held serve but was broken on the next to go 3-1 behind. Zverev worked his first, and only, break point of the match at 2-3 but Fritz held on and wrapped up the victory with an ace, serving out to love.
The mixed team tournament features 18 countries playing in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
The winners of the two groups in each city advance to a City Final on Wednesday, with whoever comes through that making the final four.
If Madison Keys beats Germany’s Jule Niemeier in their Group C tie, it will be enough to put the United States into the Sydney City Final against Britain.
Late Monday, world number two Rafael Nadal will look to bounce back from a three-set loss to Cameron Norrie as he seeks a first win of the season against Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
