Alexander Zverev Dominates in Halle Open Despite Scary Incident

Zverev's Strong Start at Halle Open

Alexander Zverev kicked off his quest for a coveted grasscourt title with an impressive 6-2, 6-1 win against Marcos Giron in the opening round of the Halle Open on Wednesday. The match, however, was briefly halted due to an unexpected incident involving an advertising hoarding that fell onto the audience.

During the first set, a portion of the advertising structure collapsed from the upper tier, landing on spectators below, which prompted the chair umpire to pause the game.

In a show of concern, Zverev quickly provided an ice pack to an elderly woman who was affected, helping her cool her neck while both players waited for tournament officials to arrange medical assistance.

Fortunately, the 62-year-old woman did not sustain serious injuries and was able to leave the venue after the initial shock, although she was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures.

Tournament organizers mentioned that the incident might have been caused by spectators drumming against the boards, which could have loosened the screws.

Ralf Weber, the tournament director, expressed regret over the incident, stating, 'This is unprecedented in our 32-year history.'

On the court, Zverev showcased his skills, finishing the match with 23 winners in a contest that lasted 79 minutes. Giron found it challenging to counter Zverev's powerful serves and precise returns that dominated the court.