Alexander Zverev avoided a first-round upset at the Halle Open after battling past fellow German Oscar Otte on Tuesday. (More Tennis News)
The second seed manag♈ed to triumph in his first match since the French Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz, eventually winning 6-7 (5-7) 6-3&ꩵnbsp;6-4.
Zverev has twice reached the show-piece at this eve𝔍nt, in 2016 and 2017, though acknowledged challenges remain with adapting from the clay-court surfaces at Roland-Garros.
"A week ago, I was﷽ playing on clay still basically," Zverev said in his on-court interview. "He made it very tough for me, no rhythm at all.
"That's how grass-court tennis is sometimes and I'm just෴ happy with the win.
"He did make it extremely difficult for me, so credit to him. I'm obviouꦦsly happy that I won and hopefully, it's going to be a level above in🧜 the next match."
The world number four is now ✨35-10 for the season and will look to extend that record when he meets Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in the next round.
Zverev has won all three head-to-head meetings with Sonego, and will fancy his chances if he delive♐rs another heavy-hitting performance next time out.
The 27-year-old smashed 54 winners, compared to his 40 unforced errors, to triumph in just over two hours under the OWL Arena ro꧋of.
Stefa✤nos Tsitsipas also began his grass season with victory, defeating home hopeful Henri Squ🤪ire 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-2).
Th💜e🐎 Greek sixth seed will face Luciano Darderi or Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.
