By Cheryl Jones
David Goffin of Belgium vanquished the last German player in the Noventi Open late this afternoon in Halle. Alexander Zverev gave it his all, but it just wasn’t enough. The match lasted two hours and sixteen minutes. A Tie-Break decided it all in the third set 3-6, 6-1, 7-6. Actually, Goffin isn’t a surprising winner, but Zverev, known as “Sascha”, isn’t usually a loser. The partisan crowd was disappointed by their countryman’s loss but gave Goffin a well-deserved show of appreciation after the final ball was struck.
Zverev’s after-match interview contained what I would term a group of staccato answers. The responses seemed to be terse. There were many very pointed questions. German journalists asked specifically about his attitude and the negative bent of those questions seemed to elicit defensive, almost verging on avoidance, answers. I asked the only question in English when I inquired about his momentum. I suggested that he may have lost some of his impetus due to a medical emergency that took nearly ten minutes to resolve. The two competitors waited anxiously for play to resume and initially, he seemed okay, but, I wasn’t so sure. He responded with no excuses but said, ”No, because after that I won three games in a row or four I think. So, no it had nothing to do with it.”
He lost the second set 6-1, so I don’t quite see it his way. He seemed tired and looked anxious to have the interview end. The answers to the journalists’ queries very quickly went downhill when he was asked point blank about the rapid descent and the eventual loss of the second set. He said, “Yes, I started to serve badly and also didn’t play good in the rallies. Things can go fast against a player like him if that is the case.”
The third set was a real battle. His play seemed to be gaining momentum once again, but alas, it was for naught. He spoke about his loss and it was clear to see he was disappointed, but he actually seemed to take on a bit of maturity, when he said, “I lost 7-6 in the third. Of course, I believed in it, was ahead with a break. As I said, he played a very good match, and I found that he returned unbelievably, as you say. That’s why, yes, he deserves it today.”
Earlier this week, Zverev fell and injured his knee. It seemed fine in his match against Steve Johnson, yesterday. He was moving quite well, and he didn’t move about the court trying to avoid any further damage. He was asked about the injury but downplayed the effect of it on his play and said that he felt he was just about back to normal. A few days off at home, where he said he hasn’t been in eight weeks should cure any residual discomfort that might have lingered just under the surface. He will move on to Wimbledon with a little R and R, and all should be right in his world.
All is well in Halle this evening. The Swiss maestro, Roger Federer defeated Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the day ending endeavour. He will face Frenchman, Pierre-Hugues Herbert who moved on to the semi-finals after a default from Borna Coric who had what was evidently a back injury.
Even though Hebert is twenty-eight years old, he has never lost to Federer. Actually, there is a very simple reason for that. He has never faced Federer in the eight years he has played professional tennis. For thirty-eight year old Federer, it will be an interesting encounter. He has faced almost everyone in the professional tennis game. It will be a match worth watching, simply for the uniqueness of their meeting.
The other semi-final match will have Goffin facing Matteo Berrettini, an Italian who has shown great promise of late. Tomorrow promises to be a day of exceptionally great tennis in Halle.
The premier Noventi Open has entered the home stretch, and if tomorrow’s matches provide what they seem to forecast, the roar of the crowd will be heard throughout the German countryside. Bravo to Noventi for taking a big step to sponsor the tournament that has held the heart of the people of Halle for over a quarter of a century.
