Alexander Zverev in action©AFP
Second seed Alexander Zverev accelerated his progress at the Australian Open on Friday by beating Briton Jacob Fearnley in straight sets in the third round. The 27-year-old German took to the floor at Margaret Court Arena to beat his 92nd-ranked opponent 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 2 minutes. His reward is a clash against the winner of an all-French confrontation between Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils for a place in the quarter-finals. The victory was Zverev’s 28th victory at the Australian Open, placing him just behind Boris Becker for the most of any German player.
He paid tribute to Fearnley, 23, who is in only his second Grand Slam.
“He’s an incredible player,” said Zverev, who is aiming for a first major crown after a decade of striving.
“He’s been through all the stages, he’s been through college, through the Challenger series and now he’s on the big circuit playing the third round of a Grand Slam.
“Huge respect for him. He’s only getting better.”
Zverev is looking to improve on his semi-final performance last year and was methodical throughout the tournament, although without dropping a set.
He took his first step in the sixth game. A double fault from Fearnley gave him an opening and after an eight-shot rally he caused an error to earn him the break, which proved enough to win the set.
They traded breaks early in the second set before another double fault from the Briton once again let Zverev in and a poorly executed backhand at the net allowed the German to take an unstoppable 5- 4.
Zverev once again uncharacteristically gave up an early break in the third set, but quickly reset to put pressure on Fearnley’s serve and take a 4-2 lead before heading to the finish line .
Zverev had one of his best seasons last year, but runner-up finishes at the 2020 US Open and last year’s French Open remain his best Grand Slams so far.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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