Alexander Zverev has eased past Jannik Sinner 6-4 6-4 7-6(7) and into the quarter-finals of the US Open, as the fourth-seeded German extended his winning run to 15 matches.
Enjoying a summer to remember, Zverev might have difficulty recalling the last time he lost a match, after tapping into a run of form that has carried him to Olympic gold at Tokyo, a Masters 1000 win in Cincinnati and the last eight at Flushing Meadows.
The last time Zverev tasted defeat was the fourth round at Wimbledon to Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and he has not looked in danger at the US Open, rolling into the quarter-finals with the loss of one set.
"I'm happy where I am, I'm happy with how things are and I'm happy with how things were the last few months," says Zverev, who credits an improved serve as one of the big reasons behind his winning streak.
"In Tokyo, all of a sudden it clicked, because in Wimbledon, I had a very bad serving match against Felix. That was the reason I lost.
"Since Tokyo, it's been a lot better, but it can still be a lot better."
With another economical performance against 13th-seeded Sinner, Zverev broke the Italian once in each set, while blasting 17 aces - including two in the tiebreak - to keep the contest from a fourth set on a humid day at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
For two sets, Sinner could not break down the German's defence and failed to convert a handful of break chances. He got his only break to level the third set at 4-4, but made no further dent in Zverev's game, losing the tiebreak and the match.
"He served well," said Sinner. "It's not easy playing against him. [He] has confidence.
"You know, when someone is serving well - the return game you can try a little bit. I think he fully deserved to win today."
Reuters.
