After his horrific injury at Roland Garros back in 2022, it has been a long road back for Alexander Zverev.
But he is finally back in the winners' circle at the Hamburg European Open defeating Laslo Djere 7-5, 6-3 for his 20th career title and seventh overall on clay.
Despite all of the issues off the court pre tournament with Zverev being issued a penalty order for assault allegations surrounding his ex, Brenda Patea, he let his racquet do the talking.
It was a superb display from Zverev who outlasted Djere who has been playing superb all week and will now head to Kitzbuhel aiming to continue his form.
His serve let him down in the tie, while Zverev was the complete opposite saving all four break points in the opening set.
Djere was superb on second serve, but couldn't convert break point chances and despite having fewer, Zverev converted late in the set when it mattered most to seal it 7-5.
He was at his effortless best in the second and as Djere started to falter, his serve improved but his all around game did not and Zverev cruised to a 6-3 second set and the victory on home soil.
A popular win in Germany, but one that will likely bring up the allegations on Zverev's part once again as he heads towards the US Hard Court swing with a black cloud surrounding him despite returning to winning ways.
A win that will no doubt inspire confidence on his favoured surface that he can still win titles at the highest level.
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