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Alexander Zverev had a great ATP event registering a double milestone in Vienna by winning a 6-2,6-2 win against Austria's Joel Schwaerzler at the Erste Bank Open. Zverev's victory over the 18-year-old lefty, who finished first in the junior division this year, was his 60th victory of the year to start. After finishing the 2018 season with precisely 60 wins, this is the second time in his career that he has achieved 60 wins in a single year.
Additionally, he is only the second man to reach 60 victories this year. Zverev's victory came in the 67th minute, reflecting his career high from 2018. Moreover, he did not face any breakpoint, registering 23 of 24 points by serving against Austria's young talent. One of the impressive things about Zverev is that he won all his last 25 matches against left-handers. Since losing to Switzerland's Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-2, 7-6 (4) in Davis Cup action on Saturday, February 4, 2023, the world No. 3 hasn't suffered a loss to a lefty in 625 days. Post that, he has a perfect 25-0 record versus left-handers and a 57-10 record in sets.
Not the easiest thing in the world: Zverev
For Zverev, winning against the youngest and world no. 3 isn't a small thing. The match demanded an equal amount of strategy and focus.
“When you come to your home tournament and probably the biggest crowd you have played in front of, as an 18-year-old and you're playing the world No. 3, it's not the easiest thing in the world,” Zverev said. "I've been there. I did that as a 17-year-old in Hamburg, where I got to the semifinals and all of a sudden had a sold-out stadium and was playing against a certain David Ferrer. The match was over half an hour later and I won one game. I know exactly how (Schwaerzler) feels. It's not an easy situation to be in but he's a wonderful player and he's going to have a wonderful career."
