Olympic champion Alexander Zverev clearly lost his opening game at the Miami tennis tournament. After a bye in the first round, Zverev lost to the Japanese Taro Daniel 0: 6, 4: 6. The German Davis Cup pro never found his way into the game, he made numerous minor mistakes.

"He struggled in the first set and I just didn't want to let him find his rhythm," said Daniel, currently number 97 in the world. The in-form Japanese had already beaten top players Matteo Berrettini (Italy) and Casper Ruud (Norway) in the past few weeks.

Zverev, on the other hand, is still looking for consistency after suffering a serious ligament injury at the French Open last year. After returning to the tour earlier in the year, he had recently shown improving form in Dubai and Indian Wells. Then came the bitter defeat in Miami.

Alcaraz wins

The 25-year-old from Hamburg was the highest-seeded professional eliminated from the Masters tournament in Miami. World number one Carlos Alcaraz from Spain won the game 6-0, 6-2 against Argentinian Facundo Bagnis. The 19-year-old defending champion from Spain must win the tournament in Miami again to retain his top spot.

With Jan-Lennard Struff, the last remaining German in the tournament was eliminated. The qualifier was defeated by Grigor Dimitrow from Bulgaria after a hard fight 6:4, 6:7 (5:7), 4:6.