Australian Open: Alexander Zverev storms into the round of 16 without losing a set
Alexander Zverev has confidently entered the round of 16 of the Australian Open. The German gave Fernando Verdasco no chance in the 6-2, 6-2 and 6-4 success.
by SID
last edit: Jan 25, 2020, 11:28 am
Alexander Zverev has reached the round of 16 of the Australian Open with a convincing performance. The Hamburg player beat the 36-year-old Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco 6: 2, 6: 2, 6: 4 and is in his 19th participation in a Grand Slam for the sixth time in the round of 16 - for the second time after Wimbledon 2017 he managed this without losing a sentence.
In the Margaret Court Arena, where Angelique Kerber made it into the round of 16 in three sets against Camila Giorgi (Italy) in the morning, Zverev offered "the best match I played this week," as he was right to say. "I'm happy with how I played," added the 22-year-old. The world ranking seventh ended the match after 1:56 hours with the third match ball with a strong serve.
In the round of 16 against Rublev
In the round of 16, Zverev will face his strongest opponent in Melbourne. In the third round, the 21-year-old Russian Andrey Rublev defeated the world number 11 David Goffin (Belgium) with 2: 6, 7: 6 (7: 2), 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 4). The Moscow is number 16 in the world rankings, this year he has already triumphed at the tournaments in Doha and Adelaide. However, Zverev has won all three previous duels with him.
The match against Verdasco had Zverev under control from the start. With another strong serve and precise basic strokes, he quickly took a 3-0 lead after two breaks and took the first set after 35 minutes. He also started the second round with a break, he confidently fended off Verdasco breakballs.
The third set was tough for Zverev. His first serve was less common, in the sixth game he had to accept the first break and was 2: 4 behind. However, he did not lose control, the seventh in the seed list immediately managed the rebreak, then another 5: 4. The rest was a matter of form.
laverarena