'Emotional' Alexander Zverev lands Hamburg Open in front of home fans, Taylor Fritz takes Atlanta title

Updated 31/07/2023 at 07:34 GMT

Alexander Zverev is the first German player to lift the Hamburg Open title since Michael Stich in 1993 after he overcame Laslo Djere 7-5 6-3 on Sunday. It was Zverev's first title since the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals. "This is my home, this is where I grew up, and this is where I started playing tennis,” said Zverev. Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz won the Atlanta Open after beating Aleksandar Vukic.

'It's almost like the first' - Zverev on winning Hamburg Open

Alexander Zverev clinched the Hamburg Open title in front of his home fans with a 7-5 6-3 win over Laslo Djere, while there was another home winner at the Atlanta Open as Taylor Fritz triumphed.

Zverev saw off Djere in impressive fashion to secure his first title since the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals.

By doing so, he became the first German player to lift the singles crown in Hamburg since Michael Stich in 1993.

ATP Madrid

Rublev 'putting emotions in right direction' after beating Fritz to reach final

03/05/2024 at 21:20

“At the end of the day, this is my home, this is where I grew up, and this is where I started playing tennis,” said Zverev, who did not drop a set throughout the tournament.

“It was incredible for me, incredibly emotional. I can’t describe it in words, I’m just super happy right now.

“It’s almost like a first [title] again,” he continued. “It’s such a long time [since my previous title], 18 months, and I’m just super happy right now.”

It was a ruthless display from Zverev as he converted three of his four break points, securing the win in one hour and 51 minutes.

“I think he was the much better player throughout the first set. I just kind of stuck with it and dug it out somehow,” reflected Zverev.

“Credit to him, he’s one of the most respected guys on tour, he’s doing all the right things. At the end, I’m just happy that it went the way it went.”

Zverev had progressed to the final after wins over Alex Molcan, Maximilian Marterer, Luca Van Assche and Arthur Fils.

In Atlanta, Fritz battled to overcome the week's surprise package Aleksandar Vukic.

It took the American three tight sets to do so, with the unheralded Australian pushing the No. 1 seed all the way.

Taylor Fritz poses for a photo with the trophy after defeating Aleksandar Vukic of Australia in the ATP Atlanta Open final at Atlantic Station on July 30, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Image credit: Getty Images

Fritz eventually came through 7-5 6-7(5) 6-4.

Meanwhile, Australian Alexei Popyrin won his second career ATP Tour title with a 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 win over Stan Wawrinka in the final of the Croatia Open.

Popyrin had to deal with cramp in his right leg in the fourth game of the decider but he did enough to prevail.

After a tough few years battling injury, Wawrinka - in his first ATP final since 2019 - teared up as he gave his runners-up speech.

- - -

Stream the 2023 Laver Cup on Eurosport and discovery+

ATP Rome