PARIS: Alexander Zverev beat three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka in the Davis Cup on Friday as the German star returned to the courts for the first time since being cleared of domestic abuse.
The 25-year-old Zverev swept past Wawrinka 6-4, 6-1 in Trier to bring Germany level with Switzerland after the opening day of their qualifier.
On Tuesday, Zverev was told by the ATP that there was “insufficent evidence” to substantiate allegations of abuse against former girlfriend Olya Sharypova.
Former world number two Zverev had always denied the claims, describing them as “baseless.”
On Friday, Wawrinka, who helped his country win the 2014 Davis Cup, was returning to the team competition for the first time in eight years.
Now ranked 135 in the world, he was comfortably beaten for the fifth time in five meetings by Zverev.
Marc-Andrea Huesler had earlier given Switzerland the lead with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Oscar Otte.
The tie continues on Saturday with a doubles and two singles rubbers.
Mackenzie McDonald and Tommy Paul gave the United States a 2-0 lead in their qualifier against Uzbekistan.
McDonald, who knocked Rafael Nadal out of the Australian Open last month, eased past Sergey Fomin 6-4, 6-1 in Tashkent before Tommy Paul, a semifinalist at the season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne, defeated Khumoyun Sultanov 6-1, 7-6 (8/6).
“It’s been amazing. It’s not something you get to do a lot throughout the year,” said Davis Cup debutant and 63rd-ranked McDonald.
Despite his lowly ranking of 480, Sultanov opened up a 4-0 lead in the second set over top-20 player Paul before the American’s greater experience paid off.
“He picked up his level a ton,” admitted Paul. “I felt like I wasn’t prepared for it.”
Of Saturday’s rubbers, he added: “A sweep would be nice — bring out the broomsticks!“
France, the 10-time champions, were 1-1 against Hungary in Tatabanya.
World number 182 Zsombor Piros stunned 45th-ranked Benjamin Bonzi 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 before Ugo Humbert levelled the qualifier by seeing off Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 6-2.
“It was my first match in the Davis Cup and I was very excited,” said 24-year-old Humbert, the world number 86.
“I tried to stay focussed on what I was doing and it went well.”
In Stockholm, Sweden opened up a 2-0 lead over Bosnia thanks to a couple of straight sets wins by brothers Mikael and Elias Ymer.
There are 12 ties taking place this weekend with the winners securing places in the group stage in September alongside defending champions Canada, 2022 runners-up Australia and wild cards Italy and Spain.
The eight best teams then go through to the Davis Cup Finals knockout stage in Malaga in November.
The qualifying matches taking place between Friday and Sunday are the first since the International Tennis Federation severed its controversial partnership with investors Kosmos less than five years after a 25-year deal was signed.
Zverev storms to Davis Cup win after being cleared of abuse
https://arab.news/5yvxg
Zverev storms to Davis Cup win after being cleared of abuse
- ATP told Zverev there was “insufficent evidence” to substantiate allegations of abuse against former girlfriend Olya Sharypova
Hosts Morocco set up Senegal AFCON final showdown
- Hosts Morocco will play Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victorious in tense last-four ties on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning
RABAT: Hosts Morocco will play Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victorious in tense last-four ties on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning the title were again dashed.
Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after their semifinal showdown of few chances in capital Rabat finished 0-0 at the end of extra time, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou performing heroics by saving twice in the shoot-out.
Bounou, of Saudi side Al-Hilal, saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations among over 65,000 fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
As well as joy there was relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick — Morocco’s second in the shoot-out — was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who converted their penalties.
“It was one of the hardest matches we have had against a very solid and talented team,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who played in the last Atlas Lions team to reach the AFCON final when they lost to Tunisia in 2004.
“I am very happy for the players and for the Moroccan people who really deserve this.
“It is a great gift for them to be in the final but we will need to recover quickly because we put a lot of energy into the game.”
The shoot-out came after a cagey encounter, with almost all the chances of note coming in the first half and Nigeria mustering just two shots in the entire game.
Morocco have been under enormous pressure to deliver a first AFCON title for their country in half a century and just their second overall.
However, as their dream remains alive it is an agonizing way for Nigeria’s hopes to end, two years after they lost the final to the hosts in Ivory Coast.
Led by two recent winners of the African player of the year prize in Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria had been arguably the best team at the tournament up to the semifinals and the top scorers with 14 goals in their first five matches.
“The players fought for every ball and it is difficult to lose on penalties, but this is football and we have to accept it,” said Nigeria coach Eric Chelle.
He added: “I am proud of my players but I am disappointed for them because the reality is we were maybe the best team that there has been in this AFCON.”
Mane ends Salah’s dream
Earlier, Mane scored a 78th-minute winner to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Tangiers, then said he was playing in the tournament for the last time.
“I’m very happy to be able to play in my very last AFCON. I hope to win it (the final) and bring (the trophy) back to Dakar,” the 33-year-old said.
Senegal, champions in 2022, dominated possession against cautious Egypt as the Cup of Nations title continues to elude Liverpool superstar Salah.
This was Salah’s fifth AFCON and the closest he has come to a winners’ medal is finishing a runner-up twice.
It will be Senegal’s fourth Cup of Nations final appearance overall and their third in the last four editions.
“I think we managed the game well from start to finish and, overall, we deserved to win. We’ll try to be ready for the final, above all to give our best,” said Mane.
“The most important thing for me is that Senegal wins every time... I am a soldier of the nation. I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is the most difficult competition in the world. All the teams are evenly matched.”
Referring to his former Liverpool teammate Salah, Mane said the Egyptian is “one of the best players in the world.”
The goal that decided the game came with 12 minutes remaining, as Mane’s low shot flew past the goalkeeper and into the net.
