ATP Masters Indian Wells: Alexander Zverev defeats Andy Murray for the first time in his career
Alexander Zverev moved into the round of 16 at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells due to a 6: 4 and 7: 6 (4) victory overAndy Murray. Thanks to the premiere success of the three-time Grand Slam champion, the German has now beaten every member of the "Big Four" at least once. ( Here you can read the match in the live ticker. )
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 13, 2021, 02:39 am
Not again, Alexander Zverev should have thought with a look at the scoreboard after about 15 minutes played in the third round game of Indian Wells. Because at this point the German was 3-0 down against Andy Murray , the third defeat in the third comparison with the former world number one seemed to take shape early on.
But before the tournament began, the reigning Olympic champion spoke of the best tennis year of his career to date and, after the false start, went straight to the form that had brought him to the title in Tokyo and Cincinnati and to the semifinals at the US Open. Logically, the first set went 6: 4 to Zverev.
Murray isn't giving up
At the beginning of the second round, Murray, who had defeated youngster Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling three-set battle after more than three hours of playing time in the previous round , was able to improve again, a break to 3-1 was the consequence. However, Zverev hit back immediately in a game that was getting better and better.
Unlike in the opening movement, however, Murray did not break in, until the 5: 5 the audience in stage 1 saw an extremely balanced and entertaining encounter. Just at that moment, Zverev struck, but the world number four was unable to serve the match due to some inexplicable smash errors.
Zverev withstands the onslaught
In the tie-break, however, the German quickly made things clear. However, he then transformed the first match point in a spectacular way to 6: 4 and 7: 6 (4) success. After Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, Zverev has now defeated the last member of the Big Four. In the round of 16, the 24-year-old will face Gael Monfils or Kevin Anderson.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini had to pack his bags. The Italian lost to Taylor Fritz, who now meets Jannik Sinner, 4: 6 and 3: 6. Another round of 16 duel in the lower half will be played by Karen Khachanov (6: 0 and 6: 4 against Pablo Carreno Busta) and Nikoloz Basilashvili (4: 6, 7: 6 (2) and 6: 2 against Albert Ramos-Vinolas).
Here you can read the match between Murray and Zverev in the live ticker.
Here the single tableau in Indian Wells
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