dpa
Hamburg
Germany's Alexander Zverev failed to retain his Hamburg title and suffered a blow before the Paris Olympics after Frenchman Arthur Fils beat him 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-1) in Sunday's final.
The top seed had looked doubtful for the clay tournament after injuring his knee on the Wimbledon grass but managed to get fit and shine during the week, only to come up short in the deciding tie-break.
Zverev, who sprayed Fils with champagne on the podium, said: "It was an incredible week that I will never forget, even if it didn't work out with the title defence.
"We want to be number one at the end of the year. You (Arthur) deserve to win. Enjoy the moment." Fifth seed Fils, 20, took only his second career title after 3 hours and 33 minutes, sealing victory on his first match-point.
The Paris Olympics starts on Friday, with the tennis tournament taking place on the Roland Garros clay.
Zverev, the 2021 Olympic champion, had pushed to play in his home Hamburg tournament in order to better prepare on clay following the grass season. But his record in finals again took a knock as his poise deserted him in the tie-break.
He has lost 13 out of 35 finals, including at this year's French Open and the 2020 US Open.
The world number four had fired down eight aces to the Frenchman's none but only converting one of 22 breakpoints proved to be his downfall.
Fils, previously a winner in Lyon in 2023, will move into the top 20 of the ATP rankings on Monday.
Fils, who overcame cramps as he saved five break points in the last set, said: "Thanks to my team, we did a hell of a job during the start of the year until now so I think this title is for me, but also for you. So thank you very much."
