Alexander Zverev downs Koepfer in Halle R1

Alexander Zverev is through to the NOVENTI OPEN Halle R2 after taking down compatriot Koepfer 6-4 3-6 6-3.

The 3rd seeded Zverev made a winning start in Halle by taking down compatriot Koepfer in 3 sets. It was a solid start for Zverev on the grass on home soil despite losing the 2nd set. The start was shaky for Zverev who found himself down 1-4 early but after adjusting to the conditions he went on a 5-game run to close out the set 6-4.

Zverev was impeccable on his first serve dropping only one point which proved more than enough to hold off Koepfer. Zverev struggled a bit more in the 2nd set as once again Koepfer found ways to win points on return. Most of them came on the 2nd serve and a bad game by Zverev gave his opponent the 5-3 lead late.

Zverev would force two break points in the next game but Koepfer held his nerve to send the match into the deciding 3rd set. The 3rd set was a very quick one. Both players served well and rallies were extremely short. Neither player ran into much trouble until Zverev forced the issue late.

He worked his way to a break point and after squandering it, to another one which he used. From there it was an easy way to a 6-3 3rd set finish and the match victory.