Racquet-smashing Zverev grinds down Giron | Inquirer Sports

Racquet-smashing Zverev grinds down Giron

/ 03:27 PM February 08, 2021

Alexander Zverev French Open

FILE – Germany’s Alexander Zverev reacts as he plays against Italy’s Jannik Sinner during their men’s singles fourth round tennis match on Day 8 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on October 4, 2020. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

Sixth seed Alexander Zverev mangled a racquet in frustration as he was made to dig deep against Marcos Giron before reaching the Australian Open second round Monday.

The German, a semifinalist last year who is gunning for a maiden Grand Slam title, lost a tight first set against the 73rd-ranked American before grinding to a 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-2 win.

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It was a tougher assignment than expected with Zverev smashing his racquet in anger during the second set before regaining his composure.

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“He played incredible. He had me on the ropes, particularly in the second set tie-break,” said Zverev, who is into round two for a fifth straight year.

“I was just happy to get through. Playing the first round of a Grand Slam is never easy. My body felt a little fatigued, I was a little tired.”

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He will meet either Japan’s Taro Daniel or American qualifier Maxime Gressy next.

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The 23-year-old came into the tournament having beaten world number 12 Denis Shapovalov in the ATP Cup last week while pushing top-ranked Novak Djokovic deep into a third set, before being beaten by fourth-ranked Daniil Medvedev.

He is looking to become the youngest Grand Slam singles champion since Djokovic won the title at Melbourne Park in 2011.

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TAGS: Alexander Zverev, Australian Open, first round, Sports, Tennis

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