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Third seed Zverev stunned at Wimbledon / Photo: Glyn KIRK - AFP
Third seed Zverev stunned at Wimbledon
Alexander Zverev suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2019 as the German third seed was stunned by France's Arthur Rinderknech in the Wimbledon first round on Tuesday.
Zverev, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, slipped to a shock 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (8/10), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 defeat against the world number 72 in a marathon clash lasting four hours and 40 minutes on Centre Court.
The 28-year-old is the highest-ranked seed to fall so far in this year's men's singles at the All England Club.
Zverev, who reached the Australian Open final in January, endured his latest Wimbledon flop in a tie that initially started on Monday evening.
When play was halted due to Wimbledon's 2200 GMT curfew, the match was level at one-set all.
But Rinderknech seized his chance once play resumed in the blazing London heat on Tuesday afternoon.
Rinderknech hit 25 aces and although Zverev replied with 31 of his own, it was not enough to stave off an embarrassing defeat.
Zverev has failed to make it past the fourth round at Wimbledon in nine visits to the grass-court major.
He had reached at least the second round in his previous 20 Grand Slam appearances.
(B.Smith--TAG)
