Alexander Zverev fumes at China Open’s organizers after being forced to start post midnight against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina as the match finishes after 2:30 AM

Zverev's dissatisfaction has thrown light on what looks to be a scheduling mistake by the tournament organizers.

Alexander Zverev fumes at China Open’s organizers after being forced to start post midnight against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina as the match finishes after 2:30 AM

Alexander Zverev (Credits: The New York Times)

In a dramatic turn of events at the China Open, Alexander Zverev expressed his displeasure with tournament organizers after his match against ended well after 2:30 a.m. local time. Zverev, known for his powerful game, won a hard-fought match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, but his joy was marred by his displeasure with the late-night scheduling.

“I’m happy with the win. Obviously, it’s difficult to play till 3 am. I’m not sure it was the right call to keep us on this court. I think we should’ve changed courts,” he said in the on-court interview.

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The match, which began well after midnight, took place on a court that sparked worries about player safety and optimal playing conditions. Zverev’s dissatisfaction has thrown light on what looks to be a scheduling mistake by the tournament organizers. It raised concerns about the decision to start a high-profile match at such an unusual hour.

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” I’m not sure we should’ve waited until past midnight to start the match, to be honest,” Zverev remarked in the post-match interview.

The China Open, one of the top tournaments on the ATP tour, is under fire for how it handles match scheduling. The late-night finale not only disturbed the players’ routines, but it also raises concerns about the impact on their physical and mental health.

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Alexander Zverev gears up for clash with Nicolas Jarry in Beijing

Alexander Zverev won his 21st career victory in the Chengdu Open, adding another feather to his crown. The German powerhouse advanced through a difficult field, defeating many, including Grigor Dimitrov, along the way. Zverev completed the agreement after defeating Roman Safiullin in the championship match.

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev (Credit: Reuters)

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jarry saw a comeback in form after arriving in Beijing with little momentum following a third-round exit at the 2023 US Open. Despite the odds, Jarry defeated difficult opponents such as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Arnaldi to advance to the quarterfinals.

The upcoming match between Zverev and Jarry in Beijing will be their sixth meeting, with Zverev having a 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head series. Their most recent meeting was in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Halle Open, when Zverev won in straight sets.

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