Zverev survives swoon to open with Madrid win

Alexander Zverev bounced back nicely after a “terrible” second set, with the two-time Madrid Masters champion dispatching Argentine clay courter Mariano Navone 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the third round on Saturday.

The German admitted to a severe clump in the second set as he adjusted to the altitude of the Spanish capital.

Zverev cleaned up his game in remarkable fashion, losing just three points on serve in the final set to advance in one and three-quarter hours.

“The first set was nearly perfect, then I lost focus completely,” the winner waid as he prepares to face Terrance Atmane in the third round on Monday. “It was terrible.

“But the level was still there, I played great tennis in the first and third sets. I have to focus on that.”

Zverev, title winner here in 2018 and 2021, is competing on clay for the third time this season after semi-finals this month in Monte Carlo and at home in Munich.

But he said there are adjustments required to pay in the particular Madrid conditions.

‘The altitude change means changing string tensions. Mine are looser to get more spin.

“This is a different tournament here – you either love it or hate it.”

Zrerev advanced with 13 winners and 27 unforced errors, breaking Navone four times.