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Alexander Zverev: still warming up on the 2018 ATP World Tour

By Harry Floyd

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 02: Alexander Zverev of Germany plays a backhand against Alex de Minaur of Australia during the Davis Cup World Group First Round tie between Australia and Germany at Pat Rafter Arena on February 2, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 02: Alexander Zverev of Germany plays a backhand against Alex de Minaur of Australia during the Davis Cup World Group First Round tie between Australia and Germany at Pat Rafter Arena on February 2, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) /
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Alexander Zverev sees an unexpected upset at the 2018 Rotterdam Open. The young German star is still finding himself early in the year.

Alexander Zverev goes one and one at the 2018 Rotterdam Open. The young German tennis star sees an unexpected upset at the hands of Italian veteran Andreas Seppi. While Seppi was a clear underdog, he has the experience necessary to hang with the best this early in the season.

The German tennis star is the current world No. 4 in men’s singles tennis. He came into play at Rotterdam as the third seed. Defeating David Ferrer in his opener, Zverev appeared ready to breakout and make a deep run. He took down Ferrer in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-3.

Seppi stepped up, winning his fourth match so far in Rotterdam. Coming in as a qualifier, he is an interesting player to watch. At 33-years-old, the Italian tennis veteran is bound to play spoiler this week at the ATP World Tour 500 event.

The Italian takes down the third seeded Zverev in straight sets. Never letting up, he defeats his younger opponent 6-4, 6-3. Seppi awaits the rest of the round of 16 action before he knows who he will take on next at the Rotterdam Open.

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Elsewhere in Rotterdam, Roger Federer wins his opener.

Zverev may have lost his second match at the ATP World Tour event, but both second seeded Grigor Dimitrov and top seeded Roger Federer remain alive. Federer is chasing the world No. 1 ranking this week at the tournament. If he can reach the semifinals in Rotterdam, the Swiss great and current Australian Open champion will overtake Rafael Nadal for the top position. Federer appears to be on top of his game right now. He wins his opener, going 6-1, 6-2 in order to advance. He takes on German tennis veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber next at the Rotterdam Open.

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Alexander Zverev is just heating up on the 2018 tour.

Look for Alexander Zverev to bounce back after his early exit this week. He fell to Hyeon Chung in his third match last month at Melbourne Park. While he is off to somewhat of a slow start, do not discount the rising star. He is among the best in men’s singles tennis and should find his rhythm in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to see if Federer, Dimitrov, or the field will take the title at the 2018 Rotterdam Open.

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