Tuesday’s Terra Wortmann Open saw Alexander Zverev navigate through a challenging opening-round match. The second-seeded German beat fellow countryman Oscar Otte 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4.
In an attempt to surpass his two Halle finalist performances from 2016 and 2017, Zverev used patience to outlast Otte in baseline rallies and took advantage of pressure situations by using first-strike tennis to progress.
“I was essentially playing with clay a week ago. In an interview conducted on the court, Zverev stated, “He made it very tough for me—no rhythm at all.” “That’s just the way grass-court tennis is sometimes, and I’m grateful for the victory.” I have to give him credit because he really made it difficult for me. Of course, I’m glad that I prevailed, and maybe the next game will be even better.”
The prerequisite Otte regularly put Zverev through difficulties, frequently serving and volleying while utilizing an off-speed slice to absorb the World No. 4’s punch. According to Infosys ATP Stats, the Roland Garros finalist persisted with his hard hitting, crushing 54 wins to his 40 unforced errors, and winning in two hours and seventeen minutes inside the OWL Arena.
In their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, Zverev is now 2-0 against Otte. In both of their encounters, Otte has caused problems for the 22-time tour-level champion. In the opening round at Roland Garros in 2021, Otte led Zverev two sets to love when the two-time ATP Finals champion stormed back to win and advance to the semi-finals.
The 35-10 Rome winner will try to continue his unbeaten 3-0 record against Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
After Wimbledon last year, Otte, who is ranked No. 474 in the PIF ATP Rankings, was playing in his first tour-level match. The 30-year-old disclosed on Instagram in August 2023 that he needed surgery for a knee injury he sustained during the grass-court major.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked sixth, also had a successful start to the grass season, defeating home favorite Henri Squire 7-6(7), 7-6(2). In the opening set tiebreak, at 5/6, the Greeks preserved a set point.
Tsitsipas fought valiantly for the whole one-hour, thirty-two-minute encounter, dropping just three points behind his second serve. For the majority of the evening, Squire—ranked No. 181 in the PIF ATP Rankings—went head-to-head with Tsitsipas, giving the 23-year-old wild card much to be proud of.
In the second round, Tsitsipas takes either Jan-Lennard Struff or Leonardo Darderi. The 25-year-old wants to win his 12th career ATP Tour championship and his second grass trophy in Mallorca in 2022. Tsitsipas is making his fourth appearance in Halle this week. At the ATP 500, he has not advanced past the second round.
