Alexander Zverev beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 6-2 after 72 minutes in a match between former Cincinnati champions to extend his winning streak to six consecutive matches at the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Zverev converted four of eight break points and won 75% of points against Dimitrov’s first serve.
Zverev has extended his lead to 5-1 in his head-to-head competitions against Dimitrov. Earlier this year the German player beat his Bulgarian rival 6-1 6-4 6-3 in the Round of 16 at Roland Garros.
Zverev dropped only a couple of points on his serve and never faced a break point in the first set. The German player broke twice in the third and seventh games to win the first set 6-2. Zverev broke serve in the third game to take a 2-1 lead in the third game of the second set. Dimitrov was not able to convert two break points in the fourth game. Zverev earned a double break in the fifth game and saved a break point in the eighth game to seal the second set 6-2.
Zverev set up a second round match against Yoshihito Nishioka.
“I think I adjusted to the conditions a bit better, and maybe I was bit more patient than him as well, but always when you play against Grigor especially in the early rounds, it’s very dangerous. He is somebody that hits the ball very hard. He is a very aggressive player, and you to be there all the time. I was, from start to finish, and I am very happy with that”, said Zverev.
