MADRID: Next Generation sensation Alexander Zverev continued his winning momentum from Munich with a 7-5, 6-3, win over Fernando Verdasco at the Madrid Open.
Embarking upon his main draw debut at the event, the German faced a player that has become a regular fixture at the Caja Magica. This year is Verdasco’s 15th consecutive appearance at the event, where has has reached the quarter-final stage twice (2009 and 2012).
The roller coaster clash featured a total of 51 unforced errors as both men initially struggled to find rhythm in their game. Twice Zverev broke to lead during the opening set before being pegged back by Verdasco, who was producing all or nothing shot-making. Eventually the talent of the German player shined through to reward him the 7-5 lead.
Battling against the animated crowd, as well as his opponent on the court, a slight surge in Zverev’s service record proved pivotal to the match outcome. A sole break in favor of the 20-year-old was enough to reward him set No.2 and his first main draw win in Madrid.
“It was quite good. It’s not easy to come from Munich, where it is very cold, to here (Madrid) where it is 30 degrees.” Zverev told Ubitennis.net. “I’m happy with the way I played. I’m happy that I got into the match quite well and I could win in two sets.”
The win comes less than a week after Zverev lifted his first ever ATP title on home soil. The experience was one that will forever be embedded in the mind of the German player. Such milestone could be mentally and physically draining on a player, but not the determined 20-year-old.
“Mentally it helped, so I didn’t need to recover from it much.” Zverev reflected about his Munich win. “Physically, it was still a tough week, but tonight was a serious one. You got to get everything together and play as hard as you can.”
Zverev will play seventh seed Marin Cilic in the third round. The encounter provides him with an opportunity to clinch his second win over a top-10 player this season and the sixth in his career. Earlier this year he dismissed Stan Wawrinka at the Miami Open.
Zverev’s 2017 performance
Australian Open – R3 (lost to Rafael Nadal)
Montripellar Open – Champion (defeated Richard Gasquet in the final)
Rotterdam – R1 (lost to Dominic Thiem)
Marseille – R1 (lost to Nicolas Mahut)
Indian Wells – R3 (lost to Nick Kyrgios)
Miami Open – QF (lost to Kyrgios)
Monte Carlo – R3 (Lost to Nadal)
Barcelona – R2 (lost to Hyeon Chung)
Munich Open – Champion (defeated Guido Pella in the final)
