ATP Tour: Alexander Zverev clinches 50th win of season, advances in Cincinnati (Image Source: IANS)
ATP Live Race To Turin: German star Alexander Zverev overcame Karen Khachanov in straight sets at the Cincinnati Open here on Thursday, becoming the first player to earn 50 tour-level wins this season. Zverev defeated Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 for an opening win at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
The German dominated throughout the 78-minute clash and coped with a 10-minute rain delay in the second set. The 27-year-old hugged the baseline to strike 16 winners compared to nine from Khachanov, improving to 5-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2021, will play Australian Max Purcell or Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round.