ATP Masters Rome: Alexander Zverev turns the match against Nishikori, now against Nadal
Alexander Zverev is in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. Germany's number one made several comebacks against Kei Nishikori and now meets Rafael Nadal .
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: May 13, 2021, 08:13 pm
Alexander Zverev traveled to Italy with a broad chest , the triumph at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid in the back should be followed by the next for the young German in Rome. Accordingly, the starting position for his round of 16 duel with the Japanese Kei Nishikori, who recently showed a rising form curve after a longer injury break, should prove to be correspondingly clear.
Nishikori also proved this in his duel with the German Zverev, the 31-year-old made the clash with the world number six extremely balanced. The logical consequence: extremely long games shaped the scenery in the capital of Italy before Nishikori could be dangerous for the first time when Zverev served - and secured the first break of the game. Minutes later, passage one went to the Japanese.
Zverev makes a comeback in set two
In the second half an early decision in favor of Nishikori was in the air, the 31-year-old made the break and quickly moved away to 3: 1. Zverev did not want to give in so quickly, however, won five games in a row and managed to equalize the set with 6: 3.
Even in the third set, however, it was Nishikori who should have the better start - even though the former top 5 player had to thwart several break chances at the start of the set. Another turning point in this match: The Japanese grabbed the break in the next game himself - and moved away to 3-0.
Again, Alexander Zverev should have the right answers ready. From the score of 1: 4, there were again five games in a row that should finally bring the Hamburg-born victory. In the quarter-finals, Zverev will meet Rafael Nadal again, whom he was able to defeat on the way to the Madrid title.