Zverev overcomes off-court distractions to win Hamburg Open

Alexander Zverev played brilliant tennis throughout the Hamburg Open (he didn’t drop a set) and was able to dispatch Laslo Djere to win the Hamburg Open on Sunday 7-5 6-3. Zverev moved as if he was on skates on ice during the final and even when Djere thought he might have a point won, he wasn’t able to get the ball past the German. Zverev played like the former second-ranked player he was in 2022.

He has recently faced new allegations of physical assault on a former partner, of course. This time the charge was made in a German court, as opposed to 2021 allegations that were made during an interview, so he will likely have to face whatever legal issues that brings. But for now, he was playing in his hometown and the crowd was firmly behind him.

Djere made Zverev work for the victory a bit in the first set. Neither player was dominating with the first serve, but the German was able to save any break-points and not lose a service game in the set. It was simply his ability to get to nearly any shot Djere made that decided the match. Djere had to be frustrated.

Alexander Zverev wins Hamburg Open in straight sets

In the second set, though, Zverev dominated through the first five games. His shot-making was incredible and he was making shots that most players aren’t capable of. Djere was able to get a break to make it 4-3 Zverev but the German was able to immediately break back (with the help of a baby crying that clearly was bothering Djere at the end of his service game).

The German has battled his off-court issues, sure, but the main reason he isn’t currently ranked in the top 10 is due to an ankle injury he suffered in the semifinals of the 2022 French Open. But make no mistake that on the court, he is definitely one of the better players on the ATP tour and his performance in Hamburg showed that.

Unfortunately for Djere, he learned this again on Sunday. Still, Djere has to feel good about his week as well. He is playing some of the best tennis of his professional life, and seems especially good on clay. The clay court season is basically done for now, however, with the main tournaments getting back to hard courts leading up to the US Open beginning in late August.

But Hamburg belonged to Zverev and he is getting in excellent form for the next major. With his ability to get around the court, he will be a danger to anyone he plays.