ATP Cologne 2: Alexander Zverev on small detours to the quarter-finals
Alexander Zverev continued his winning streak at the ATP Tour 250 tournaments in Cologne. The German, who was in first position, defeated John Millman from Australia 6: 0, 3: 6 and 6: 3.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Oct 21, 2020, 08:07 pm
To speak of the Lanxess Arena in Cologne as a second living room for Alexander Zverev would be a bit of an exaggeration. Even if the products of the title sponsor of the two ATP Tour 250 tournaments in Cologne are very invitingly draped around the center court. But the German number one already feels comfortable here, especially since a more than one-year lean period in terms of title wins came to an end on Sunday.
According to the program, Zverev stayed in Cologne, fine-tuning the first task in the second event against John Millman with brother Mischa on Wednesday. At the same time, Jan-Lennard Struff trained with Félix Auger-Aliassime, and the German number two also prevailed on Wednesday. Zverev defeated Millman 6: 0, 3: 6 and 6: 3, Struff won against Marco Cecchinato 6: 3 and 6: 1 - but his first round game.
Zverev against Millman in Paris over five sentences
Before the meeting in Cologne, Zverev and Millman had only matched each other once on the tour. This game was tough: Alexander Zverev had won the first two sets, Millman came back and only had to admit defeat after five rounds. There were also small parallels to this early on Wednesday evening in Cologne: Zverev closed the first set in less than 30 minutes and was immediately behind with a break in the second act. Millman held his lead until the set was equalized.
In the decision it looked like a clear thing for the favorite, Zverev started to wobble again despite the break lead. So he had to fend off three breakballs in the seventh game, but still made it 5: 2. After a playing time of 115 minutes, the US Open finalist made it into the last eight. There Zverev will meet the French Adrian Mannarino on Friday, against whom he won in Flushing Meadows a few weeks ago.
Struff will play again on Thursday, in the last game of the day against Yoshihito Nishioka from Japan. Local hero Oscar Otte will also be in action against Diego Schwartzman. Otte had given Dennis Novak from Austria no chance in round one.