Alexander Zverev, the world number three and top seed, defeated Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to advance to the second round of the Halle Open on June 16, 2026 [1, 2].
Kopriva, ranked 64th, evened the match by claiming the second set, finishing that set with 14 winners compared to Zverev's 11 [1, 2]. Despite Kopriva's strong efforts, Zverev closed out the final set to secure victory.
Zverev will next face Yannick Hanfmann, who won his first-round match against Joao Fonseca 6-2, 6-2 [1, 2].
Meanwhile, defending champion Alexander Bublik, seeded seventh, was eliminated in the opening round by Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci in 75 minutes. Bellucci won 7-6(6), 6-1 to claim the upset [1, 2].
Bublik was aiming for his third Halle Open title, having won in 2023 and 2025 [1, 2]. His early exit represents a missed chance to boost his push toward a top-10 ranking [1, 2].
Bellucci, ranked 74th, will now play Belgium’s Raphael Collignon for a spot in the quarter-finals [1, 2].