Zverev Survives Four-Set Scare to Open Wimbledon Campaign
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Germany's Alexander Zverev began his Wimbledon campaign with a hard-fought four-set win over Belgium's Alexander Blockx on Centre Court. The match ended 6-4, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 in Zverev's favour after nearly three close sets that tested his nerve.
Zverev arrived at this year's tournament carrying fresh confidence after finally winning his first Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier in the month, ending a long run of near-misses in major finals. However, grass has never been his best surface, and he had never gone beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon in nine earlier attempts. Last year, he was knocked out in the very first round, making this match an important test of whether he could turn his French Open form into success on grass.
For much of the contest, it looked like history might repeat itself. Blockx, an unseeded debutant making his first appearance at the tournament, pushed Zverev hard and even forced two tie-breaks. At one stage, Zverev was at risk of becoming the first reigning French Open men's champion to lose in the first round at Wimbledon since Rafael Nadal in 2013.
The opening set went smoothly for Zverev, who broke serve once and closed it out in around half an hour. But Blockx hit back in the second set, saving a set point in the tie-break and then levelling the match after Zverev served a double fault at a crucial moment.
The contest swung again in the third set tie-break, where a couple of costly double faults from Blockx allowed Zverev to edge ahead. Zverev then finished the job in the fourth-set tie-break, winning it comfortably to seal victory.
This was the third time this year that Zverev has beaten Blockx, continuing his unbeaten record against the young Belgian. The win keeps alive Zverev's hopes of finally making a deep run at Wimbledon, a tournament where he has struggled compared to his form on other surfaces.
Zverev, seeded second at this year's tournament, will next face France's Valentin Royer in the second round as he looks to build on his hard-earned opening victory.
Why it matters
This match mattered because it showed whether Zverev, fresh off his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, could carry that momentum onto grass, a surface where he has historically underperformed. A first-round loss would have placed him in rare and unwanted company alongside Rafael Nadal as a reigning French Open champion exiting Wimbledon immediately. His survival keeps alive the possibility of his best-ever Wimbledon run and signals growing all-round consistency from one of the sport's top players.
Test yourself
1. Who did Alexander Zverev defeat in the first round of Wimbledon?
2. What was the final score of the match?
3. Which Grand Slam title did Zverev win earlier in the same month as this match?
4. What is notable about Zverev's past performances at Wimbledon before this match?
5. Which player was the last reigning French Open men's champion to lose in the Wimbledon first round before this match?
6. How long did it take Zverev to win the first set?
7. What helped Blockx level the match in the second set?
8. What contributed to Zverev winning the third-set tie-break?
9. Who will Zverev face in the second round?
10. How many times has Zverev beaten Blockx this year, including this match?
Your notes
Source: The Hindu