Defending champion Alexander Zverev beat world number 19 Kyle Edmund 7-5 7-6 (13-11) on the Pietrangeli Court in Rome in just under two hours to advance to the quarter finals at the Internazionali d’Italia for the second year in a row.
Zverev, who won two consecutive titles on clay in Munich and Madrid, got an early break in the first game, but Edmund broke back in the 10th game to draw level to 5-5, when the German was serving for the set. The British player became the first player to break Zverev in 65 service games.
Zverev got another break in the next game to seal the first set after 43 minutes.
Zverev went up an early break in the third game of the second set. Edmund broke back in the eighth game with a forehand winner down the line. The British top player earned a set point on Zverev’s serve at 5-4, as Zverev found his way to force the second set to the tie-break.
Zverev got the first mini-break, as Edmund netted a backhand. The 21-year-old German player earned three match points at 6-3, but Edmund fought back by winning three consecutive points to draw level to 6-6 and earned a second set point. Edmund saved four more match points, before the German sealed his third win in as many head-to-head matches against Edmund on his eighth match point, when the British player hit a forehand wide. Zverev will face David Goffin in Friday’s quarter final. Goffin was leading 6-2 4-5 when Juan Martin Del Potro was forced to retire because of a groin injury.
Zverev has extended his winning streak to 11 consecutive matches on clay and 22 consecutive sets.
