Alexander Zverev has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Masters tournament in Rome on Thursday. Just like during his opening match, the number three in the world did not give up a set on the Italian clay. Stéfanos Tsitsipás also qualified for the last eight.
Zverev finished within two hours with Alex de Minaur, the Australian number 22 in the world ranking. It became 6-3 and 7-6 (5). In the decisive tiebreak it was hit at the first match point.
In the previous round, Zverev was too strong for the Argentinian Sebastián Báez without losing a set, who had ensured in the opening round that the tournament in Rome was short-lived for Tallon Greek track.
Zverev won the tournament in Rome in 2017. A year later he was again in the final, but lost to Rafael Nadal. In the quarterfinals, the 25-year-old German will meet Chilean Cristian Garín or Croatian Marin Cilic this time.
Stéfanos Tsitsipás qualified in three sets for the quarterfinals in Rome.
Stéfanos Tsitsipás qualified in three sets for the quarterfinals in Rome. Photo: Getty Images
Tsitsipás in three sets further
Tsitsipás also qualified for the quarterfinals in Rome. The Greek defeated the Russian Karen Khachanov in three sets. It became 4-6, 6-0 and 6-3 for the number five in the world. Tsitsipás will face the winner of the match between Serbian Filip Krajinovic and Italian Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals.
Among the women, Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus easily qualified for the quarterfinals in Rome. The number eight in the world trumped American Jessica Pegula in two sets: 6-1 and 6-4.
Later on Thursday, Novak Djokovic (against Stan Wawrinka_ and Nadal (against Denis Shapovalov)) will be in action on the clay of Rome.