"Just shorten the points" - Zverev on tactics against Kokkinakis

Alexander Zverev continued the quest for his first title of the season Tuesday, overcoming Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Zverev is playing with confidence in Florida this week, having moved past Borna Coric and Mackenzie McDonald in his opening two matches. The 24-year-old dictated the forehand exchanges against Kokkinakis and played with greater consistency from the baseline to advance after one hour and 32 minutes.

He said:

“I wanted to shorten the points as it was quite hot. Thanasi is a very aggressive player so I tried to take that away from him. I was returning the second serve quite well. I kept putting pressure on him and kept being aggressive and it worked out well.”

Up next for Zverev is Casper Ruud and on that matchup, the German said:

“Casper is a great player and playing incredibly well right now, so I am ready for a tough battle."