Hamburg European Open 2024: Alexander Zverev vs Jesper de Jong preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Alexander Zverev vs (Q) Jesper de Jong
Date: July 17, 2024
Tournament: Hamburg European Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Am Rothenbaum, Hamburg, Germany
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: €1,891,995
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Alexander Zverev vs Jesper de Jong preview
Defending champion Alexander Zverev will face qualifier Jesper de Jong in the first round of the Hamburg European Open 2024 on Wednesday.
Zverev tasted great success Down Under at the start of the season. He won the United Cup with his fellow Germans, and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open for the second time. He continued his good run of form to reach the semifinals in Acapulco and Miami, and the quarterfinals at Indian Wells.
Zverev's clay swing was off to a slow start as he failed to win consecutive matches in his first two tournaments. He made the fourth round of the Madrid Open after that, and then claimed his first title of the year at the Italian Open. He rode the wave of momentum to his very first final at the French Open, and his second at the Majors.
The German took on Carlos Alcaraz in the summit clash, and lost to him despite leading two sets to one. A semifinal showing in Halle ushered in his grass season, which concluded with yet another fourth-round exit from Wimbledon.
De Jong made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open, and it was a victorious one as he beat Pedro Cachin in the first round. He fell to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the next round. He next lost to Milos Raonic in the first round of his home tournament in Rotterdam.
De Jong then successfully qualified for the second Major at the French Open, and scored a five-set win over Jack Draper in the opening round. He lost to the eventual champion of yet another Major as Alcaraz ousted him in the second round. The 24-year-old beat Max Rehberg and Nick Hardt to book his place in the Hamburg main draw.
Alexander Zverev vs Jesper de Jong head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between them, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
Alexander Zverev vs Jesper de Jong odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Alexander Zverev vs Jesper de Jong prediction
Zverev's triumph in Hamburg last year marked his first silverware since winning the 2021 ATP Finals. His 2022 season was cut short due to a devastating ankle injury, and his title-winning run here last year marked his return to the top of the sport.
The German came quite close to winning his maiden Major title at the French Open but was foiled by an inspired Alcaraz in the final. The Spaniard also got the better of de Jong in the same tournament, who managed to take a set against him.
Both of de Jong's main draw wins at the ATP level have come this year. Zverev is 16-4 on clay this season and 40-12 overall. Given his own form and his opponent's record, he should commence his title defence with a win.
Pick: Alexander Zverev to win in straight sets.