Zverev extends clay run with opening Madrid win

Alexander Zverev maintained his clay court momentum from this month’s Munich title, with the German advancing in his opening match at the Madrid Masters on Friday, defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-2.

But 2024 runner-up Felix Auger-Aliassime will leave the ranking top 25 after stumbling out of the event 7-6 (5), 6-4 to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

FAA won a pair of titles earlier this season but has been a disaster on the dirt, losing his opening match in Munich.

ATP No. 2 Zverev claimed his sixth consecutive clay win as he began well in Spain, where he owns Madrid titles from 2018 and 2021.

He advanced in 69 minutes striking 32 winners.

“I knew I had to focus against Roberto,” the winner said after lifting his career record to 24-5 in Madrid. “I knew it was going to be a tough challenge, I’m very happy with the win.”

The German called the Caja Magical centre court “my favourite centre court in the world, 

“I’ve only lost twice here in my entire life. I hope that stays the way throughout the next 10 days and that I can continue playing good tennis.”

Third seed Taylor Fritz, who has not competed in the month since Miami in March, started his delayed clay season 6-1, 6-4 victory over Australian Christopher O’Connell. 

Fritz has been dealing with an abdominal injury for the The American has been nursing an abdominal injury off and on for three months and last stepped onto clay at the summer Paris Olympics nine months ago.

“It feels great to come back and play a really solid match,” he said. I was really impressed with how my level has been in practice the last couple of days.

“(After his Miami semi-final) I had three weeks of nothing, then five days of tennis. I’m super happy I can come out and produce that level on the little bit of prep I had.”

Norwegian 14th seed Casper Ruud, woh dropped from the top 10 only days ago, defeated Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4, 

Daniil Medvedev benefitted from a walkover when opponent Laslo Djere pulled out with a left shoulder problem.

In the women’s draw, Daria Kasatkina played her first match since taking Australian nationality, defeating American Alycia Parks  6-2, 7-5 after triling 1-4 in the second set.

The match was a disaster though, with a combined 90 unforced errors – two-third of them off the Parks racquet.

Main photo:- Alexander Zverev continues his clay court form in Madrid – by Mutua Madrid Open