German No.1 Alexander Zverev survived a roller-coaster match lasting more than three hours to get off to a winning start at the US Open.
The sixth seed lost a two-set advantage during his 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2, clash with Moldova’s Radu Albot. Dropping his serve five times along the way. Despite the mid-match blip, the German managed to dismantle his rivals serve during the decider. Breaking Albot in three of his last four service games in the match.
“I always knew coming out here that it was going to be a tough match. When I saw the draw I was like there is definitely some easier ones.” Zverev said afterwards.
“Credit to Radu. He came back from two sets to love down and gave an incredible fight. He deserved to win as much as I did and it was just a few points.”
Avoiding crashing out of the opening round like at Wimbledon, Zverev was far from perfect at times. Illustrated by 56 unforced errors to go alongside 49 winners. However, he still managed to prevail with the help of nine aces and a 62% success rate behind his serve. Compared to Albot’s tally of three and 52%.
2019 has been a lacklustre season for Zverev, who has now won 31 out of 48 matches played since January. Problems off the court involving a legal battle with his former manager took its toll on the world No.6. He has recently signed a deal to be managed by Team8. An agency co-founded by Roger Federer.
“The last few months were tough for me.” Zverev reflected. “I didn’t play my best tennis. I didn’t win as much as the last few years, but there is definitely still unbelievable to come out and play here (at the US Open).”
This year Zverev is bidding to go beyond the third round at the US Open for the first time in his career. In three out of his past four appearances he has failed to win back-to-back matches in Flushing Meadows. He will now have a day off before embarking upon his second round clash on Thursday.
“It’s (New York) a very energetic city, It can give you energy, but it can also take it away. I’m just going to lay in bed over the next 16 to 18 hours, come out to practice for about 12 minutes and then go back to bed. That’s what I’m going to do.” He commented about his plans for his day off.
Zverev will play either Ivo Karlovic or Frances Taifoe in the next round.
