Alexander Zverev overcame a hip-problem to win Cologne double.
For this truncated 2020 season, the ATP scheduled four provisional tour events – two of which were held in back to back weeks in Cologne. And both have been conquered by the 23-year-old German.
In the first event, Zverev beat Canadian youngster Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets. On Sunday, he completed the double by storming past gritty Argentine Diego Schwartzman, the second seed, in a 6-2, 6-1 win.
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The second title though, might not have happened as Zverev struggled with a hip problem earlier in the week, and was close to retiring during his quarterfinal match against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
“Two days ago, I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish the tournament,” Zverev said during the trophy presentation.
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“But now I’m here as the champion. So I’m quite happy that I didn’t retire.”
He also added that he’s started to work well and find some rhythm with his team.
“I think we’re going to be on top of the game very soon,” he said.
Our champion has been crowned…again.👑@AlexZverev left it all on the court today and it was more than enough.#Bett1HulksChampionship pic.twitter.com/89hOJLVI28
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 25, 2020
This was the fourth meeting between the duo, and Schwartzman led 2-1 before the match. The diminutive Argentine has been in a good run of form. He beat Rafael Nadal en route to his finalist finish at the Rome Masters, and later beat US Open champion Dominic Thiem in a gripping five-set French Open quarterfinal.
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In the final however, Zverev was in irresistible form. He hammered home nine aces and his serve remained unbroken. He also broke his opponent’s serve five times during the match that lasted just under 72 minutes.
The title was the 13th of his career, but only the second of this season.
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Humbert wins second title
The new World No 32 Ugo Humbert also won his second title of the year – and career – on Sunday as he overcame Australian youngster Alex De Minaur 6-1, 7-6(4) to win the European Open in Antwerp, Belgium.
The 22-year-old southpaw from France had beaten US Open semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta in the second round, and British veteran Daniel Evans in the semi-final before claiming his second title of the year.
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His career’s first tour title came in Auckland in January this year.
