Google News
Alexander Zverev admitted Alexander Bublik made him "feel awful at times" during their Monte Carlo second-round match. Zverev, seeded at No 13, came from a set down to beat Bublik 3-6 6-2 6-4 and progress into the Monte Carlo third round.
“It felt awful at times to be honest, but he made me feel awful. Tactically he played well, he didn’t let me play my game at all. He didn’t let me have my rhythm and he almost won the match, just a few points here and there.
I have had two weeks of practise now. It is the most natural surface for me. It usually takes me five or 10 minutes to get used to a clay court, but this year was a bit different. I needed to get the injury out of my head. I needed to get used to sliding again," Zverev said, per Tennis365.
How Zverev defeated Bublik?
Bublik broke Zverev in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead but the German got the break back immediately in the following game. However, blowing an early first-set break didn't impact Bublik, who broke Zverev again in the sixth game before serving out for the opener in the ninth game.
After losing the first set, Zverev started the second set with an early break and a 3-0 lead. In the fifth game, Bublik managed to get the break back and cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Zverev responded in some style as he earned back-to-back breaks in the sixth and eighth games to win the second set and force a decider.
In the third set, Zverev broke Bublik in the fourth game but got broken back immediately in the following game. After saving two break points in the seventh game, Zverev broke Bublik in the 10th game - the game in which Bublik was serving to stay in the match. Zverev plays next against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.