Zverev Begins US Open Campaign
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev extended his winning streak to 12 matches on Tuesday as he moved past American Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 to reach the second round at the US Open.
The German has been in dominant form in recent weeks, defeating World No. 1 Novak Djokovic en route to the Tokyo Olympics singles gold medal, before capturing his fifth ATP Masters 1000 crown in Cincinnati earlier this month.
“It is great to be back,” Zverev said in his on-court interview. “I still remember last year’s final. I still remember the four-hour match that I lost, unfortunately. It is great to be back on Arthur Ashe Stadium and have the fans back, we definitely missed them last year.”
Zverev showcased this confidence against Querrey as he hammered 36 winners and broke four times to advance in one hour and 39 minutes. The 24-year-old will next face either Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas or former World No. 10 Lucas Pouille as he aims to lift his maiden major trophy in New York over the next fortnight.
”I hope in two weeks’ time I will be on an 18-match winning streak,” Zverev said. “Novak [Djokovic] is chasing history to win all four majors for the first time since Rod Laver [1969], but I think the young guys are going to try and get in the way of that. I am looking forward to maybe giving him a challenge as well.”
The 17-time tour-level titlist, who came within two points of clinching his first major title at last year’s US Open (l. to Thiem), has also lifted trophies on hard in Acapulco and clay in Madrid this season, while reaching the semi-finals at Roland Garros in June.
“I have been working extremely hard on a lot of things, like my serve,” Zverev added. “But when I am happy it is when I am playing well. That is the most important thing. The past year has been very good for me.”
In a tight first two sets, Zverev waited patiently for his opportunities, breaking at the end in both as he raised his level, hitting with greater depth and consistency to put pressure on Querrey’s serve. The fourth seed hit 18 aces and did not face a break point in the match, racing through the third set to seal his victory.
Querrey, who overcame Mischa Zverev to reach the quarter-finals in New York in 2017, was making his 15th appearance at the US Open.