Alexander Zverev will compete in the quarter-final of the home ATP 250 event in Munich. The two-time champion endured rain and bad weather and took down Jurij Rodionov 7-6, 6-2 in an hour and 40 minutes, making a winning start and reaching the last eight. The home favorite served at 75% and defended all four break points in the only challenging service game, keeping the pressure on the other side. Rodionov played well in the opener, delivering six comfortable holds and reaching a tie break. Zverev seized it and gathered a boost ahead of set number two, breaking world no. 118 two times and sailing into the next round. Alexander held at love in the opening game of the encounter after forcing Jurij’s mistake and landed an ace at 1-1 to remain in front.
Alexander Zverev, Munich 2024© Alexander Hassenstein / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Alexander Zverev is off to a winning start in Munich.
The German faced issues in the fifth game, offering the Austrian four break points. Zverev denied them and closed the game with a powerful serve to remain on the positive side. Rodionov clinched the eighth game after deuce, and they left the court due to rain after Zverev’s fine hold a few minutes later. They returned over two hours later, and a left-hander held with a perfect drop shot winner for 5-5. They served well in games 11 and 12, introducing a tie break. Alexander moved 5-3 in front with a forehand winner and created three set points after Jurij’s loose backhand. Rodionov missed another backhand, handing the breaker to Zverev after 64 minutes. Another rain delay came in the second game of the second set, keeping the rivals away from the court for an hour.
Alexander Zverev, Munich 2024© Alexander Hassenstein / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Jurij played a loose service game at 1-1, spraying a forehand error and pushing Alexander in front. The German cemented the lead with a hold at love in game four after a service winner and made another push on the return in the next one. Rodionov denied two break points and squandered two game points that could have pushed him within one break deficit. The home star created the third break point and converted it after the rival’s double fault, moving 4-1 in front. Zverev closed the sixth game with a forced error, forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Jurij extended the battle with a forehand winner in game six, and Alexander served for the win at 5-2. The home favorite sealed the deal with a forehand winner, celebrating his 20th victory of the season.
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