Tennis Masters – Zverev on his problems: “Tired a little quicker” – Sport

Shanghai (dpa) – Given his lung problems, Alexander Zverev started the tournament in Shanghai with “quite a lot of uncertainty” and positively surprised himself with his tennis level. “I was on antibiotics for a week, so I didn’t train.” “I actually didn’t do anything,” said the Hamburg native (27) after his safe opening success at the Masters 1000 event.

He has the feeling that he is not yet at 100 percent. “I feel like I might get tired a little quicker, but that will stay with me for a while,” said Zverev.

Zverev happy with his punches

The French Open finalist is competing in Shanghai despite his pneumonia after previously skipping the tournament in Beijing and taking a short break. After a bye in the first round, Zverev prevailed 6:4, 6:2 against Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci. He also coughed in the match, but made it safely into the third round.

“Of course I’m happy with the level,” said the world number three. When it came to tennis, he felt good. “That surprised me a bit.”

Who will Zverev play against for the round of 16?

Even before the start of the tournament, the 2021 Olympic champion had stated that his lung problem “wouldn’t go away within a week or two.” “It will probably take a month or two,” he said. However, doctors assured him that his health would not worsen if he exercised.

The German number one is free to play on Sunday. His next opponent will be determined in the duel between the Australian Jordan Thompson or Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:241006-930-252675/1