Germany’s tennis star Alexander Zverev has to be patient in the fight for the opportunity on a quick revenge against Karen Khachanov.
At the ATP master in Cincinnati, the third-round match of the world ranking third from Hamburg against the American Brandon Nakashima was initially interrupted on Tuesday evening (local time) at 6: 4, 5: 4 for Zverev due to thunderstorms. After severe rains, the game was discontinued less than 30 minutes later for the rest of the day.
Ace with the second surcharge
Both professionals had previously awarded their first occasions on a break, Zverev even fended off three break chances at 2: 3 and kept his serve game. In the event of a serve Nakashima and 4: 4, the American dared to go online for the first time in the game – and shortly afterwards there was a break.
In contrast to the previous occasions, Zverev played clever and aggressive this time. The Hamburgers got the sentence with courage to risk and an ace in the second surcharge.
General rehearsal for the US Open
It continues this afternoon. Should Zverev then make the round of 16, it would be possible against the Russian Khachanov, against whom he had lost in three exciting sets less than a week ago in the semi-finals of Toronto. After his bitterly rounded out in Wimbledon and a subsequent tournament break, including training in Mallorca with Toni Nadal, Zverev had recently shown in Toronto.
The appearance in Cincinnati is the dress rehearsal for the US Open for Zverev. At the last Grand Slam of the year (from August 24th) in New York, the 28-year-old wants to play for the title. In Cincinnati, Zverev reached the semi -finals in the past two years, and in 2021 he won the title.