New Delhi: Alexander Zverev was made to sweat in his opening-round victory at the Stuttgart Open on Thursday. The top seed struggled to be at his optimum level but eventually defeated Corentin Moutet 6-2, 7-6(7) in an hour and 51 minutes.
Despite a straight sets win, home boy Zverev had to save a set point at 5/6 in the second-set tie-break.
“The first match on grass is never easy. I actually think it was a very average match, but I won in the end and that’s the most important thing. I made it complicated, but a win is a win and I’m happy to play tomorrow again,” the German said after his win.
In their maiden head-to-head meeting, Zverev converted four of six break points to beat Moutet. The World No.3 will either face sixth seed Brandon Nakashima or Learner Tien in the quarter-finals.
In another match, 17-year-old Justin Engel defeated Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-4 for his first win against a top 50 opponent.
Rybakina advances
World No. 4 Elena Rybakina and No. 5 Diana Shnaider progressed to the quarter-finals at QUeen’s at the cost of two Britons.
Shnaider beat Katie Boulter 2-6 6-3 6-2 in the last-16 stage and will relinquish British number one title for the first time in two years.
It was the fifth seed Shnaider’s second win in as many meetings with the World No. 34 Boulter. She will next face World No. 2 Madison Keys.
Former Wimbledon champion Rybakina received an opening round bye and in her first grass-court match of the season after had to ride some tricky moments to win 6-4, 6-2.
The Kazakhstani saved all seven break points against her, five of which came in the final game of the match to set a meeting with qualifier Tatjana Maria.
Alexander Zverev struggled to be at his optimum level but eventually defeated Corentin Moutet 6-2, 7-6(7) in an hour and 51 minutes. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
