HAMBURG/STARNBERG, May 21, 2025

Wednesday marked a career-defining day for Alexandre Muller at the bitpanda Hamburg Open, as the 28-year-old Frenchman pulled off the biggest win of his career.

Muller stunned top seed and home favorite Alexander Zverev 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5) in a gripping second-round encounter that lasted two hours and 41 minutes. Playing with composure and confidence, the World No. 49 delivered a rock-solid serving performance and matched Zverev shot for shot from the baseline to claim his first-ever win over a Top 5 opponent.

Harder, Better, Faster, MULLER @Alex2Mumu knocks out world No.3 Zverev 6-3 4-6 7-6 in Hamburg for the biggest win of his career!!@hamburgopenatp pic.twitter.com/SWzBJwDamV

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 21, 2025

The victory not only sends Muller into just his second career quarterfinal at ATP 500 level or higher, but also marks a new personal best for most tour-level match wins in a single season (17). He will next take on No. 6 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, who defeated Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 13 minutes.

Already enjoying a breakthrough season, Muller captured his first ATP Tour title earlier this year in Hong Kong and is currently sitting at No. 39 in the ATP Live Rankings, matching his career-high first achieved in April.

Zverev battles illness in Hamburg loss

Zverev revealed that he had played the match while battling a fever. “I actually played okay considering I was throwing up multiple times last night,” said the World No. 3, who shared that his temperature had reached 39.4°C (103°F) just hours before the match.

Zverev admitted he likely wouldn’t have taken to the court under normal circumstances, but this wasn’t just any tournament. “If this hadn’t been Hamburg, my home event, I probably wouldn’t have played at all,” he said. “Here, I’m able to dig a little deeper.”

Looking ahead, Zverev plans to take the next few days to fully recover in time for Roland-Garros, where he hopes to return to top form and “play good tennis again.”

Tiafoe falls to Bautista Agut

Earlier in the day, the bitpanda Hamburg Open delivered early drama and a glimpse into the future of German tennis. Second seed Frances Tiafoe was the first major name to exit the tournament, falling 6-2, 6-3 to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. From the opening game, the US-American struggled to find rhythm on his serve and was visibly frustrated by Bautista Agut’s rock-solid performance.

Although the Spaniard briefly faltered while trying to close out the match, missing four match points and facing a late break point at 5-3 in the second set, he held firm. Tiafoe, backed by an energetic Hamburg crowd, was unable to consistently unleash his trademark forehand and bowed out quietly in straight sets.

But the spotlight quickly shifted to Germany’s newest crowd favorite: 17-year-old Justin Engel. After stunning Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round, Engel returned to Center Court to face 2020 Hamburg champion Andrey Rublev — and he did not disappoint.

Engel came out swinging, breaking Rublev in the opening game and igniting the packed stadium. Although he dropped the first set 6-3, the teenager raised his level in the second, matching the world-class Russian from the baseline and showcasing a sharp, confident forehand.

Encouraged by the roars of a partisan crowd and guided courtside by coach Philipp Kohlschreiber, Engel pushed Rublev to the brink. The second set was a tense affair, filled with long deuce battles and heavy exchanges. Despite going down 6-3, 7-5, the young wildcard left a strong impression.

“I’m very satisfied with my tournament,” Engel said afterward. “He punished my mistakes a bit better than I did his. But I had my chances today.”