• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sport

Jolted Zverev overpowers Bedene to advance

15 January 2019, 5:52 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Germany's Alexander Zverev gestures during the match against Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene.

Germany's Alexander Zverev gestures during the match against Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene.

Image: Reuters

Germany's Alexander Zverev gestures during the match against Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene.

Alexander Zverev overpowered Aljaz Bedene to win their first round clash at the Australian Open 6-4 6-1 6-4 on Tuesday, although it was not until the German lost an early service game that he was provoked to respond and get his campaign rolling.

The first set meandered until the 198 cm (6.5 ft) Zverev found himself down a break.

The 21-year-old became increasingly animated after losing his serve, and reeled off the next eight games.

Like a prizefighter facing a wilting opponent, Zverev pummelled Bedene for the remainder of the match, free-swinging his way to a straight sets victory.

“I mean, obviously I was a little bit sloppy in the beginning, a little bit sleepy maybe, and the break really was like a wakeup call, you know, that I have to start focusing and start playing from the first match on,” Zverev told journalists after the match.

Zverev, known as Sascha, has emerged as the leader of tennis’ new generation of men’s players, a reputation confirmed late last year by his maiden ATP Finals triumph where he beat Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in consecutive days.

He will play the winner of an all-French first round match between Jeremy Chardy and Ugo Humbert.

Few players have the arsenal to stay with Zverev who hits hard off both wings, and recorded an average first serve speed of 210 km/h during the match.

He also has a knack for making first serves when he is in trouble in a manner reminiscent of great servers such as Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

But he was also susceptible to lapses on Tuesday, which included losing a service game to love in the third set despite otherwise dominating proceedings.

Zverev, who is yet to seriously challenge at a Grand Slam, is being mentored by new coach Ivan Lendl, an eight-time major winner who helped usher in a new tennis era with his relentless, powerful baseline game.

Lendl has been credited with elevating his former pupil Andy Murray to a level where he could start winning Grand Slams.

Zverev said that he hoped the new relationship would bear fruit in Melbourne.

“Things don’t just come together after you start working with someone one week or two weeks – it really takes time,” Zverev said.

“I hope now it’s going to be the period where it really starts showing.”

Share article
Tags: Aljaz BedeneTennisAustralian OpenAlexander Zverev
Previous Post

School uses dance and music to reduce stress in children

Next Post

Nersa instructs Eskom to clarify fraud allegation

Related Posts

[File Image] : Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane celebrates scoring

Bayern’s Gnabry on the bench against Frankfurt after turbulent week

27 January 2023, 6:44 PM
[File Image] : Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before the match

Disciplined defence key to beating Brighton: Jurgen Klopp

27 January 2023, 3:05 PM
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his semi final match against Tommy Paul of the U.S.

Djokovic pounds Paul to reach 10th Australian Open final

27 January 2023, 2:21 PM
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Mexico City Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 29, 2022 Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas during practice.

Motor racing-Alfa Romeo F1 team announces co-title partnership with Stake

27 January 2023, 11:51 AM
[File Image] : Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his match against Austria's Dennis Novak.

Djokovic’s father won’t attend Australian Open semi-final

27 January 2023, 10:30 AM
Boxing gloves

Six fighters to contest for SA boxing title in March

26 January 2023, 7:10 PM
Next Post
Nersa says Eskom owes the public an update into its internal fraud and corruption investigations.

Nersa instructs Eskom to clarify fraud allegation

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Remedial programme reinstated to fight Hyacinth plants at Hartbeespoort Dam
  • Northern Cape’s Kakamas to be exempted from blackouts
  • Zuma joins AmaZulu King in commemorating the Battle of Isandlwana
  • Scorcher predicted in Northern Cape for two weeks
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Babes Wodumo breaks her silence at Mampintsha’s funeral
  • Diepsloot residents block N14 highway
  • LIVE: City of Joburg Council elects new mayor
  • Al Jamah’s Thapelo Amad touted to be Joburg’s new mayor
  • UPDATE: Thapelo Amad elected as new Mayor of Joburg
  • Public Protector’s office finalising preliminary Phala Phala report

LATEST

Eskom says stage 4 will be implemented in the evenings from 16:00pm until 05:00am over the weekend.
  • Business

Stage 3 load shedding kicks in from Saturday morning: Eskom  


Gauteng ANC chair Panyaza Lesufi
  • Politics

Removal of Phalatse will yield similar results in other municipalities: Lesufi


Mandela who advocated for reconciliation, died on this day at his home in Johannesburg at the age of 95.
  • South Africa

67 Blankets for Madiba campaign goes all out to celebrate 9th anniversary


FILE PHOTO: Institute of Political Studies (IEP) or "Sciences Po" main entrance at the Institute in Paris, France, May 28, 2013. Picture taken May 28, 2013. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
  • Lifestyle

Top French university bans use of ChatGPT to prevent plagiarism


Five former Memphis police officers were charged on Thursday (January 26) with murder in the death of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died three days after a traffic stop, prosecutors said.
  • World

United States awaits release of Tyre Nichols’ video


Electricity pylons are seen along the cooling tower of the defunct Orlando Power Station in Soweto.
  • Business

More South Africans join calls for national state of disaster to address electricity crisis


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous School learners dancing School uses dance and music to reduce stress in children
Next Nersa instructs Eskom to clarify fraud allegation