Alexander Zverev gave everything in Germany’s United Cup triumph! Alexander played ten matches within nine days, with many heading to the distance. The final versus Poland was no exception, with Zverev spending almost five hours on the court in two encounters. Iga Swiatek put Poland in front with another comfortable singles victory, and Alexander had no room for errors against Hubert Hurkacz. The German earned a massive 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 win in two hours and 59 minutes, fending off two match points and keeping Germany alive! It was Zverev’s second top-10 victory of the competition, and he had to dig deep to earn it. The German trailed 6-4 in the second set’s tie break, rattling off four points and erasing match points. Alexander gained a massive boost and broke Hubert’s resistance with a single break in the decider. Hurkacz fired 19 aces. However, he faced seven break points, defending six but getting broken once in the decider.
Alexander Zverev defeated Hubert Hurkacz after a thriller.Ā
Zverev played well behind the initial shot, experiencing no break points and surviving in the second set after keeping his focus. They served well at the beginning of the match, delivering ten comfortable holds and reaching 5-5 after 38 minutes. Zverev showed impressive defensive skills in the 11th game and constructed a break chance after Hurkacz’s forehand error. The Pole denied it with a forehand winner after the German’s short return, producing a vital hold and moving 6-5 in front. The tie break brought five points with serve before Hubert passed Alexander at the net for a 4-2 advantage. The German missed a routine forehand, falling 5-2 behind and showing frustration. Hubert earned four set points and seized the second after Alexander’s loose backhand. Zverev kept serving well in the second set, making a chance to move in front at 3-2 after forcing Hurkacz’s mistake. The Pole denied them, the second after an incredible point, and held for 3-3 with a booming serve.
Alexander Zverev, United Cup 2024Ā© Brendon Thorne / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
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The returners had no chance in the following five games, with Hurkacz serving to stay in the set at 5-6. He faced the ultimate challenge after offering Zverev three set points. Hubert erased them with winners and held with another direct point to introduce a tie break. The Pole passed the German with a backhand down the line winner at 1-0 in the tie break, looking confident in his strokes. Zverev pulled a mini-break back and stayed in touch until 3-4 before Hurkacz fired a smash winner for another advantage. Hubert attacked in the tenth point and forced Alexander’s mistake for 6-4 and two match points.
Zverev saved the first with a crafty forehand crosscourt winner that landed on the line. Hubert sprayed a backhand error on his second match point and placed a forehand long at 6-7, handing the set to his rival. With a boost on his side, Alexander produced five commanding holds in the deciding set, challenging his rival to follow those numbers. Hubert missed a forehand on a game point at 3-3, and Alexander earned a break chance with a return winner. The Pole sprayed a costly forehand error, falling 4-3 behind. Zverev held at 15 in game eight to cement the lead, serving for the victory at 5-4. Alexander held at 30 after Hubert’s backhand error, celebrating a massive win and keeping Germany alive ahead of the mixed doubles clash.Ā