The 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto delivered a moment of pure comedy during Alexander Zverev’s second-round match against Australia’s Adam Walton, as the top-seeded German sparked laughter from the crowd, the umpire, and even himself with a premature celebration that became the talk of Sobeys Stadium. In a tightly contested battle that ended with Zverev’s 7-6(6), 6-4 victory, the world No. 3 thought he had clinched the first set with a blazing ace, only to be humorously corrected by the chair umpire’s call of “fault!” The crowd erupted in amusement, and Zverev, momentarily stunned, joined in the lighthearted moment. “It was a very important moment, very important point for me,” he later said, reflecting on the match’s intensity, though the mishap added a memorable twist to his triumph.
The match itself was a thrilling showcase of resilience, highlighted by a lung-busting 52-shot rally—the longest of the year—that left spectators in awe. Trailing 5-3 in the first-set tiebreak, Zverev dug deep, seizing momentum with a forehand winner at 5-5 to earn set point. “Lucky to get through in the first set and finishing it off in two,” he noted, acknowledging the challenge posed by Walton, ranked No. 88, who had upset Benjamin Bonzi in the first round. The rally, described as “unbelievable” by fans on social media, showcased both players’ tenacity, with Walton’s 31 winners nearly matching Zverev’s 23. However, Zverev’s near-flawless serving—dropping just three points on his first serve—and composure under pressure secured the win in one hour and 42 minutes.
The bizarre moment came during the tiebreak at 7-6, when Zverev unleashed a serve he believed was an ace, prompting a passionate fist-pump and roar. The crowd initially cheered, caught up in his intensity, but the umpire’s swift “fault!” call halted the celebration. Zverev’s expression shifted from triumph to disbelief, and the Sobeys Stadium crowd burst into laughter, with the umpire chuckling as well. “So good he thought he won it twice 😆,” one observer quipped, capturing the moment’s hilarity. Undeterred, Zverev regrouped, converted the set point on his next serve, and carried the momentum into the second set, where he broke Walton at 3-2 and fended off a late comeback attempt, including a break when serving for the match at 5-3, sealed by Walton’s double fault.
Zverev’s path to the third round was no small feat. After a first-round bye as the top seed, he faced a resurgent Walton, who pushed him to the brink with aggressive baseline play. The German, a seven-time ATP Masters 1000 champion and the 2017 Canadian Open winner in Montreal, leaned on his experience to navigate the challenge. His preparation, including a training stint at Rafael Nadal’s Mallorca academy with input from Toni Nadal, has revitalized his game after a tough Wimbledon exit to Arthur Rinderknech. “Zverev sees the free left corner and takes the point with a forehand cross,” a commentator noted, highlighting his tactical precision.
The victory sets up a third-round clash with Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi, whom Zverev defeated in a tight 2025 Acapulco match, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4. With top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz absent, Zverev is the favorite to claim his second Canadian Open title, though the field remains fierce with Lorenzo Musetti, Taylor Fritz, and Casper Ruud advancing. The expanded 96-player draw and 12-day format, mirroring a Grand Slam, have intensified competition, but Zverev’s ability to laugh off his blunder shows his mental fortitude. “I’m excited whenever it’s a big tournament, no matter who is in it,” said fourth seed Ben Shelton, echoing the sentiment of opportunity in Toronto.
The moment resonated beyond the court, with fans on social media calling it “pure comedy” and praising Zverev’s ability to stay focused. The National Bank Open, running from July 26 to August 7, has already delivered drama, with Canadian Denis Shapovalov falling to #NextGenATP star Learner Tien and Vasek Pospisil preparing for his final tournament before retirement. Zverev’s lighthearted mishap, coupled with his hard-fought win, underscores his status as a fan favorite and a contender, proving that even in high-stakes tennis, a good laugh can be the perfect reset.
So good he thought he won it twice 😆@AlexZverev takes the opener 7-6 over Walton 🤝#NBO25 pic.twitter.com/8uAVtI6dGv
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 30, 2025
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