WATCH: Controversy erupts at Hamburg Open as Alexander Zverev lashes out over disputed ball bounce call during 2R match against Hugo Gaston
Alexander Zverev was livid with the chair umpire after a controversial double ball bounce call caused the German to lose the opening set against Hugo Gaston in the second round of the 2024 Hamburg European Open. Zverev was furious with the umpire and even exchanged some words with Gaston but to no avail.
The 27-year-old is currently competing at his home tournament in Hamburg where he is the defending champion. He faced France's Hugo Gaston in his Round of 16 match after overcoming Jesper De Jong in the previous round.
Zverev staged a resilient comeback against the Frenchman to oust him 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in a thrilling match that lasted two hours and 36 minutes.
However, controversy arose during their match towards the end of the first set. The two men were engaged in a grueling rally when a backhand smash hit by the German was returned by a sliding Gaston which was then returned by Zverev on the opposite side of the court but the Frenchman reached there in time to hit a cross-court backhand to win the point and the opening set 6-4.
As soon as the ball went past him, Alexander Zverev was absolutely furious as he was convinced that the ball had already bounced twice when Hugo Gaston returned his backhand smash.
The World No. 4 questioned the chair umpire and also asked Gaston to admit that the ball had bounced twice. His pleas came to no avail even after he called the supervisor as the German had to continue the match from a set down.
Alexander Zverev joins Jannik Sinner to become the second man to win 42 matches in the 2024 season
With his second-round win against Hugo Gaston at the Hamburg European Open, Alexander Zverev has become the second man to win 42 matches in the 2024 season after World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
The German had many deep runs in tournaments at the beginning of the season including semifinals at the Australian Open, in Los Cabos, in Miami, and in Halle. He also reached the quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Masters and the BMW Open.
Zverev clinched his first title of the season at the Italian Open by defeating Nicolas Jarry in the summit clash. This was followed by a heartbreaking defeat in the French Open final to Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling five-setter.
After a trophyless grass swing, Alexander Zverev will look to turn things around at his home tournament. He will face eighth seed Zhang Zhizhen in the quarterfinals.