Alexander Zverev needed a couple of minutes to wrap up his third-round clash at the Cincinnati Masters against Brandon Nakashima. The champion from 2021 led 6-4, 5-4 when the rain sent them off the court on Tuesday night.
They returned to the court the next afternoon, and the German held from 0-30 in game ten to emerge at the top and remain on the title course. World no. 3 will face Karen Khachanov later today in a battle for the quarter-final spot.
Alexander and Brandon met for the fifth time, and the German remained perfect against the American. The favorite fired 12 aces and saved all four break points. He took 37% of the return points and provided a single break in each set.
ADVERTISEMENT
Zverev hit 24 winners and 32 unforced errors. He had the upper hand in service winners and from the baseline. They served well in the opening four games of the encounter before Nakashima saved a break point at 2-2.
The American generated three break points at 3-2 and wasted them, missing the second after a basic error. Alexander stepped in on the return in the ninth game and created three break points with a backhand down the line winner.
He attacked on the second and drew the rival's mistake for a break and a 5-4 advantage. World no. 3 fired a booming serve in game ten, wrapping up the first part of the duel 6-4 in 45 minutes.
ADVERTISEMENT
They served well in the opening five games of the second set. Zverev saved a break point at 2-3 and remained on the positive side. He held after a deuce in game eight for 4-4 and secured a pivotal break in the next one.
They had to leave the court due to rain and extend the battle the next afternoon. Alexander lost the opening two points in the tenth game before clinching four in a row to emerge at the top and seal the deal ahead of more duties later today in the rain allows the action.
