New York – In front of a lively crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Germany’s top‑seed Alexander Zverev secured his place in the fourth round of the U.S. Open with a 6‑2, 7‑6(2), 6‑2 victory over Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo on Saturday.
After enduring back‑to‑back five‑set battles in the previous round that totaled more than nine hours on court, Zverev was eager to avoid another marathon match. He opened strongly, breaking Tabilo twice and holding an unreturnable serve to love to take the first set.
The second set saw Zverdups momentum dip, allowing the world‑number‑28 player to claw back three games and bring the set to a tiebreak. A brief exchange with a courtside fan who appeared to be offering coaching advice sparked a momentary flare, but Zverev quickly regained his composure and pulled away in the tiebreak, sealing the set 7‑6(2).
In the third set, Zverev surged ahead 5‑2, and Tabilo could not recover. The German veteran closed out the match, booking his spot in the round of 16 where he will face 21st‑seeded Italian Luciano Darderi.
Coach’s advice and Zverev’s outlook
Reflecting on the match, Zverev joked that his coach reminded him that “best‑of‑five doesn’t mean you have to play five sets,” a reminder that helped him stay focused. He added, “I’m happy with my level right now, it’s going in the right direction, and I’m glad to be in the second week.”
Having practiced only an hour the day before due to the grueling previous matches, Zverev said he was grateful to find his rhythm despite limited preparation. “I still think I can play better, but for now I’m happy with how things are going,” he said.
Zverev, 29, previously captured his first Grand Slam title at the French Open and was runner‑up at Wimbledon. His performance at the U.S. Open continues to demonstrate his resilience and skill on the biggest stages of tennis.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
