Alexander Zverev advanced to the fourth round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows after defeating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 6:2, 7:6 (7:2), 6:2, securing his first straight-sets victory of the tournament after enduring two grueling five-set marathons in the opening rounds, according to tournament reports.
A Dominant Result Despite Mid-Match Frustration
The 29-year-old German tennis star booked his spot in the US Open round of 16 in two hours and 25 minutes on court, sealing the win by converting his second matchball against the 22nd-seeded Tabilo. While the straight-sets scoreline suggests a routine afternoon in New York, the match featured a flash of temper when Zverev, frustrated with his level of play during a tight second set, smashed his racquet against the back wall of the court.
Despite the audible displeasure and a brief struggle to find his rhythm, Zverev weathered the challenge to claim the second-set tiebreak 7:2 before racing through the third set.
Humor and Honesty After the Final Point
Addressing the crowd and former player Andrea Petkovic during his on-court post-match interview, Zverev offered a lighthearted take on his physical workload following a demanding start to the fortnight, noting that his previous matches had tested his stamina.
“My coach has explained to me that a best-of-five-match doesn’t actually mean you have to play five sets,” Zverev joked to the interviewer, reflecting on an opening week that required nearly ten hours on court. “I am pleased that my level is slowly moving in the right direction. But I still believe I can play better.”
Looking Ahead to the Round of 16
Zverev turns his attention to the fourth round, where he will face Italy’s Luciano Darderi on Monday. Darderi, currently ranked No. 22 in the world, previously defeated the French Open champion earlier this season at the clay-court Masters event in Rome. Even with that prior head-to-head loss on clay, oddsmakers and analysts position the German as the clear favorite to advance further into the tournament’s final stages as the draw opens up.
