Alexander Zverev has soared past
Aleksandar Vukic in the first-round of the
US Open.
The twelfth seed defeated the Australian player in straight sets on Court 17, winning the match 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
The two players had never faced each other before, but despite a few minor difficulties, the 2020 US Open finalist took the win with ease to progress through to the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Zverev doesn't drop a set against Vukic
It's been a hot and humid day so far in New York, but Zverev didn't seem to show many signs of struggle. He had a strong serve, blasting 13 aces throughout the match and winning 86 per cent of points on his first serve.
Zverev’s first break came in
the fifth game of the first set after Vukic’s backhand hit the ball into the
net and created two break point chances for the former world No. 2. He won the
second, then served for the opener at 5-4.
He then broke his opponent in
the third game of the second set after firing a return winner.
In the final set, Zverev was leading 4-3 when he ran into a bit of difficulty. He had managed to break Vukic at love and looked ready to push ahead and seal the deal. However, the 27-year-old wasn't going down without a fight, as he pulled
off a break of his own to level the set at 4-4.
Tense last few games of match
Nevertheless, Zverev fought
back to give himself three break points in the next game, and after two failed attempts
he secured the break with the third one. The crowd rallied behind the player,
chanting “Let’s go Sasha!” and stamping their feet as the players went to their
chairs for the final time before completing the match.
Play then resumed and it wasn’t
long before Zverev had confirmed his place in the second round of the US Open,
firing an ace to finish the match.
Zverev will face his compatriot Daniel
Altmaier in the next round at Flushing Meadows.