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“Fritz is able to stand in closer on return and be more offensive than he was last year when they played here,” he added after Zverev continued to struggle on serve. Although Zverev put up more of a fight in the second set, it wasn’t enough to prevent Fritz from giving the USA a 1-0 lead in the tie after a match that lasted 64 minutes.
Speaking about his performance in Germany’s opening tie against the Czech Republic in which he lost to Jiri Lehecka, Zverev earlier said: “Physically I’m not at the level that I have to be.
“This is not even a question. I’m getting tired I think a lot quicker than I always did. I’m not as fast as I probably was.”
Zverev’s loss to Lehecka was his first tour match since he was forced to retire hurt against Rafa Nadal in the semi-finals at the French Open. The German’s ankle buckled horribly as he was trying to change direction and he later had to undergo surgery. Monday’s loss took Zverev’s record for Germany in team competitions to 3-8 since 2020.
The loss left Germany facing the monumental task of needing to win all four of the remaining matches in the tie to advance to the next round. The Germans entered the tie needing to win 4-1 to have any chance of progressing out of the group stage.
“Just been trying to practice, kind of dial in some of the things maybe that didn’t feel great for me in the first match,” Fritz said after his win. “It’s great, I love playing in team competitions. I feel like I have always performed well in team events – it kind of brings a different energy.
“You care even more because you are playing not just for yourself, but for your team. It brings more pressure into it as well.”
secured top spot in the pool. The Brits beat Spain on Sunday after also taking down Australia in their opening clash.
It means Australia and Spain are already out of contention before their tie even begins. In a positive for fans, Rafa Nadal is scheduled to take on Alex de Minaur in what shapes as an important hit-out for both ahead of the Australian Open.
“He’s a great player. Playing super fast. Playing with very high intensity. Taking the ball very early. Improved the serve,” Nadal said of World No.24 de Minaur. “(It’s) going to be another very tough match that I need to play very well in to have any chance. So let’s see.”
The Aussies will also be playing without women’s No.1 Ajla Tomljanovic, who has withdrawn with an injury in order to be fit for the Australian Open.
