ATP Cup Brisbane: Alexander Zverev makes it three straight losses

German star Alexander Zverev was tipped to be the next big thing on the tennis landscape, it’s all fallen apart in worrying signs.

Alexander Zverev is in the midst of a nightmare to start the 2020 season.

Smashed racquets, on-court meltdowns and three defeats from three matches, the ATP Cup in Brisbane has been a tournament to forget for Alexander Zverev.

The German world No.7’s preparations for the Australian Open are in tatters as he slumped to a 6-2 6-2 loss to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov on Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday.

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While the defeat didn’t contain the explosions of frustrations from his earlier matches, the performance was just as insipid for such a highly-touted player.

It seems a long time since he opened the tournament by claiming the first set of his clash with Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Friday.

De Minaur roared back to take the match 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2, with Zverev smashing his racquet to pieces at the end of the second set.

The 22-year-old’s game was just as broken as his racquet from that point onwards, ending the match with 14 double faults.

Zverev looks mentally cooked #ATPCup

— Simeon Thomas-Wilson (@Simeon_TW) January 7, 2020

Sascha Zverev this week at #ATPCup:

L: 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 to de Minaur (14 double faults)
L: 1-6, 4-6 to Tsitsipas (10 double faults)
L: 2-6, 2-6 to Shapovalov (7 double faults)

The one-time crown prince of the Next Gen got worse with every match.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 7, 2020

Shapovalov leads 6-2, 3-0, double break in the second.

Was saying earlier this week: it might have helped Zverev in the long run if his 2019 wasn't salvaged by scraping into London.

He needed a wake-up call of some sort to reset his game/career, I think, and he didn't get it.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 7, 2020

On Sunday he served up another 10 double faults as he was defeated 6-1 6-4 by Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Zverev’s frustrations were once again evident in the clash with fellow top 10 player Tsitsipas, often arguing between games with Germany captain Boris Becker and his teammates.

Tuesday’s clash with Shapovalov was little better, with seven double faults and quite often knocking 50km/h off his second serve in an attempt to get the ball in play.

The most strange thing about Zverev’s form is that he looked actually quite good for one set and a half vs De Minaur. Was set and break up and then disappeared. These last two matches have been... scary bad.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 7, 2020

Oh my lord. Zverev almost hit the baseline with that second serve. Back to back double faults to get broken and Shapovalov leads 6-2, *3-0. Won the last 6 games, so a moral bagel.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 7, 2020

Shapovalov d Zverev 6-2, 6-2. Not that close. Sasha’s head unfortunately is in a bad place at the moment. Happens to all of us. He will get through this. Choose to support him rather than rip him. Patience... 🇩🇪❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/He7tAG7n21

— Craig O'Shannessy (@BrainGameTennis) January 7, 2020

A former world junior No.1, Zverev has been tipped for greatness since winning the ATP Finals in London in 2018.

Despite his talent however, his best grand slam result is a pair of quarter- final appearances in the French Open, while his fourth-round exit at last year’s Australian Open is his best result at Melbourne Park.

Given how he’s played over the past week in Brisbane, it appears unlikely Zverev will be bettering that result in 2020.

SCORES

Canada defeats Germany 2-1

Jan-Lennard Struff def. Felix Auger-Aliassime — 6-1 6-4

Denis Shapovalov def. Alexander Zverev — 6-2 6-2

Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov def. Kevin Krawietz, Andreas Mies — 6-3, 7-6

Russia defeats Norway 2-0

Karen Khachanov def. Viktor Durasovic — 6-2 6-1

Daniil Medvedev def. Casper Ruud — 6-3, 7-6

Karen Khachanov, Daniil Medvedev vs Viktor Durasovic, Casper Ruud

Great Britain defeats Moldova 3-0

Cameron Norrie def. Alexander Cozbinov — 6-2 6-2

Daniel Evans def. Radu Albot — 6-2 6-2

Jamie Murray, Joe Salisbury def. Alexander Cozbinov and Radu Albot — 6-2 6-3

Originally published as ATP Cup Brisbane: Alexander Zverev makes it three straight losses