2:0 goals for the German national football team, 2:0 sets for Alexander Zverev. The German footballers and the German number one in tennis came through almost in lockstep this evening. Lorenzo Sonego, on the other hand, laboured in vain just like the Hungarian footballers and ultimately had no chance.
Alexander Zverev won the first set after 47 minutes. It could have been quicker, but the world number four missed four set points at 5:3. When he served himself at 5:4, things went better: the fifth set point was successful.
The serve was the German's best weapon. Lorenzo Sonego didn't even get within reach of a break chance. But the Italian also served superbly in the second set and didn't concede a break either. So it had to be decided in the tie-break. Lorenzo Sonego started sensationally, making two mini-breaks to make it 3:0, but Alexander Zverev countered and equalised. The leads changed hands. At the decisive moment, the German was totally on top of his game and converted his first match point to make it 6:4, 7:6(5). After 103 minutes, the German was through to the quarter-finals.
Alexander Zverev has improved considerably compared to his first round match against Oscar Otte. He now seems to like the grass very much. "I love playing in Halle, I love the crowd," cheered Alexander Zverev after reaching the quarter-finals. There's no doubt about it: he's on the right track in Halle. A lot seems to be possible for him at this year's TERRA WORTMANN OPEN.