The big duel is getting closer!
One more win, then the clash between Alexander Zverev (24) and superstar Rafael Nadal (35) is perfect. The Olympic champion reached the round of 16 of the Australian Open with a 6:3, 6:4, 6:4 against the Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot (32). There he meets Canadian Denis Shapovalov (22).
“This will be our first meeting at a Grand Slam. Hopefully it will be a good match,” said Zverev. If he also wins this game on Sunday, it’s against the 20-time Grand Slam winner if he doesn’t stumble beforehand. After the deportation of Novak Djokovic (34), the Spaniard would be the toughest chunk on the way to the final.
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Photo: AARON FRANCIS/AFP
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Due to the lack of an attractive opponent, Zverev was not allowed to play in the Rod Laver Arena for the first time this year, but only in the third largest place, the John Cain Arena. Didn’t mind the hamburger though. “I never lost on the pitch. I hope it stays that way,” he said.
As expected, he dominated and, after the early break in the first set and the 3-0, had hardly any problems in serving the round and winning 6-3. After that, Albot got into the game better, also due to Zverev’s mistakes.
He kept up well for a few minutes, but couldn’t prevent the German from breaking to 3:2. Zverev didn’t need a brilliant performance, he didn’t do more than necessary. As in the first set, this one break was enough to bring the set home 6:4.
The only critical moment: At. Standing at 4:3, it was suddenly 0:40 when the third in the world rankings served. But he freed himself from this unfortunate situation immediately and didn’t let anything burn.
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Sometimes Alexander Zverev despaired of himselfPhoto: MICHAEL ERREY/AFP
In the third set everything was just cramp. Lots of slight errors, double errors, it wasn’t a pretty match to watch. Zverev needed a long time for the decisive break, which he managed to make it 5: 4. His last service game was a matter of form. After 1:57 hours, the favorite converted his third match point.
