Alexander Zverev and Gilles Simon clashed in the third round for a spot in the round of 16. The pair went up against each other recently at Rotterdam and it was the teen who came out on top in a tight three sets encounter. The German has been stringing some good wins this year and is well on his way to set a new career high ranking next week.
After knocking out Grigor Dimitrov in the previous round, Zverev carried on his form claiming another seed as he progressed to the fourth round. The lanky teen was rock solid from the start taking the first set with ease. As Simon looked to be struggling, there was no stopping the free-hitting German who dropped just four games en route to a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Clinical Zverev In First Set
Zverev started the match brightly getting the immediate break to start proceedings. The German always looked to be in control of their rallies moving Simon around the court to good effect. Simon showed flashes of brilliance as he kept within reach of Zverev.
Both players were breezing through the games as they held their serves with relative ease as the set progressed. Simon though faltered once again serving at 4-2, handing the German with two break points. The 18-year-old got the cushion of a second break blasting a forehand winner to go 5-2 up.
Simon however carved out his first break opportunity as the young German was serving for the set. Zverev came up with a huge serve to fend off the French before wrapping up the first set in 28 minutes.
Simon Struggles And Zverev Capitalizes
Just like in the first set, Zverev jumped onto his chances and broke to start the second set despite Simon’s efforts to save two break points. Although the French looked to be in a spot of bother having signaled for the trainer, he stayed in the game and got the break right back after a marathon rally for 1-1. However, that huge effort seemed to have sapped Simon’s energy as he was unable to prevent Zverev breaking once more for a 2-1 lead.
The German continued his serving prowess like in the first set holding to love to consolidate for 3-1. Zverev capitalized once again as Simon’s physical struggles continued getting the break with some powerful hitting to go 4-1 ahead. With the sizable lead on his hand, Zverev closed out the victory in just over an hour.
Winning Numbers For Zverev
Zverev was comfortable on serves hitting four aces and faced only two break points throughout the match with Simon being able to grab just one of them. On the other hand, the German had 11 opportunities to break Simon and capitalized five times.
Simon’s error count was also his undoing as he hit far more errors than the clinical German.
