ATP Masters Madrid: Zverev defeats Carballes Baena
Great fighting performance by Alexander Zverev (ATP No. 16) - In a marathon match, the German Davis Cup player wins against Roberto Carballes Baena 6: 7, 7: 5, 6: 0.
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit:
Apr 29, 2023, 01:48 am
Here is the match to read in the live ticker
In the last match at the Manolo Santana Stadium as part of the night session, two-time Madrid champion Alexander Zverev of Germany faced Roberto Carballes Baena in the first meeting. A few weeks ago, the 30-year-old Spaniard celebrated his second ATP title in Marrakech after his debut success in Quito 2018, also on sand. Olympic champion Zverev was under pressure after his early exit from the ATP tournament in Munich, as he had to defend a place in the final in Madrid from the previous year.
Battered Zverev narrowly loses the first round in the tie-break
The beginning of the match was marked by sovereign service games on both sides. After Zverev missed a break chance in the fifth game, he faced a 0:40 in the following service game, but was still able to win his service game. Moment of shock in the eighth game of the first set - with the score at 3: 4, the 26-year-old Zverev grabbed the inside of his left thigh after winning the point to 40:15 and then had to be treated by the physio in the dressing room. After the restart, the former world No. 2 had to fend off two break chances before he could equalize. Zverev continues to try to keep his position as close to the baseline as possible and keep looking for deals on the net. In the twelfth game, Carballes Baena created two break chances with a brilliant backhand pass at 15:40, but Zverev countered with four points in a row. In the tie-break, the Hamburg player with a score of 6: 5 cannot use a set ball when his opponent serves, two points later, Zverev's forehand sailed into the net to lose the set.
Brave Zverev equalizes
In the second round, both players were able to keep their service games up to 3:3 without any problems. In the subsequent service game by Zverev, Carballes Baena had a break chance, which the current No. 53 in the ATP ranking was able to exploit as a passing ball with a spectacular reflex after an overhead ball from Zverev. With his back to the wall, Zverev hit back and equalized with a re-break. There has been no sign of an injury to Zverev since the beginning of the sentence. From the middle of the sentence, Zverev again increased the pace significantly from the baseline and also accepted a few minor forehand errors. After he was unable to use a set ball on Carballes Baena's serve when the score was 5:4, he struck two games later and thus equalized the set.
Zverev dominates in the decision set
In the decision-making process, Zverev stayed true to his offensive line and dominated the rallies from the baseline from the start. The Spaniard is showing more and more signs of physical wear and tear due to his immense mileage. Without losing a game, Zverev prevailed 6: 7 (6), 7: 5, 6: 0 after 3:25 hours of play.
In the third round, the French qualifier Hugo Grenier is waiting for Zverev, who was able to keep the upper hand against the American Sebastian Korda in two sets in the tie-break.