German tennis star Alexander Zverev’s return to event play after ankle surgical procedure has not gone to plan after he was upset by the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka within the United Cup.
Lehecka, the world No.81, beat Zverev 6-4 6-2 within the opening match of the tie between the 2 nations in Sydney on Saturday.
The final time world No.12 Zverev performed a tour-level match was towards Rafael Nadal in a French Open semi-final again in June.
Zverev rolled his proper ankle in that match, tearing all three lateral ligaments within the course of, earlier than leaving the courtroom in a wheelchair.
The 25-year-old had surgical procedure and had tried to return on a number of events in current months however was compelled to abort his plans every time.
Zverev was ranked No.2 on the planet in June however his lack of match-play was evident as he struggled along with his serve and motion towards a red-hot Lehecka.
The 21-year-old Czech broke Zverev to take the primary set and saved the strain up within the second.
“I knew before the match that he hadn’t played in a while but with a player like (Zverev) that can mean nothing,” Lehecka advised Channel Nine after the match.
“Of course I was able to be a good opponent for him and in the crucial moments I showed all the experience from the last year playing against good players. That gave me the confidence to play against him.”
