Former champion Alexander Zverev was impressive on Wednesday in a 6-3, 6-2 victory over 2014 finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan in 74 minutes at the Mutua Madrid Open.
“It was clinical,” said Zverev, who faced one break point en route to the 2018 Madrid title. “Kei is someone who has done well here, reaching the final and he has beaten me on clay before. I’m definitely happy with this performance. I have practised my serve since Munich and the altitude helps too. It was a good match from my side, I feel comfortable here. When I get hot, let’s see what happens.”
The fifth-seeded German, who has reached the Madrid quarter-finals or better in his three previous appearances (2017-19), will next face Australia’s John Millman or Daniel Evans, the recent Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters semi-finalist.
When Nishikori fired a backhand winner down the line off a Zverev second serve to break for a 3-2 lead in the first set, it looked like it was going to be a hard day at the office for the 2018 champion. Yet Zverev started playing on the front foot, broke back immediately and then again for a 5-3 advantage with a powerful forehand winner.
Zverev went on to clinch the 38-minute opener, having won 21 of 33 points under five shots, and then bludgeoned his way through the second set with breaks of serve at 1-1 and 4-2. Zverev completed his 12th match win of the season with a love hold, finishing with a backhand winner down the line.
Former World No. 4 Nishikori, who is currently at No. 42 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, is now 9-9 on the season. The Japanese star won only 38 per cent of his second-service points against Zverev.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3h1R5NA
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