"When I get hot, let's see what happens" - Zverev confident after easy win over Nishikori

Alexander Zverev looked extremely comfortable during his second round victory over 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori on Wednesday, as he as he steamrolled past his opponent to reach the Round of 16 at the Madrid Open.

The 2018 champion needed only 74 minutes to complete the 6-3 6-2 victory, and he seems to be gaining confidence on a surface where he has done well in the past.

“It was clinical,” said Zverev after the match. “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 practiced 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.”

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The 2020 US Open runner-up was broken just once in the opening set, and proceeded to dictate play from the baseline for the rest of the match. With this victory, the German has now won 12 matches this season as he looks to match his record of reaching at least the quarterfinals in his last three Madrid appearances.

"I was very pleased with my all-around performance today," said Zverev. "Yes, my serve was working out pretty well. I think my returns and my backhand was also working out pretty well. All around, it was a good match for me, because against someone like Kei, you need to win the match yourself. He's not going to give anything to you. I felt like I did that well today."

The fifth seed will face Dan Evans in the Round of 16, as the Brit overcame John Millman in a two-and-a-half hour marathon. Evans leads 1-0 in career meetings, as he defeated Zverev in their lone encounter at the 2016 US Open.