Google News
The former US Open finalist Alexander Zverev scored a solid victory in the first round on Court 17. Alexander took down Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and nine minutes, playing well on serve and return and sealing the deal in straight sets.
Zverev had the upper hand with his first serve, blasting 13 aces and keeping his second serve safe enough to get broken once from two chances offered to his opponent. Alexander grabbed 42% of the return points, turning them into four breaks from 12 points and missing an opportunity to seal the deal earlier.
Vukic made a reliable start, holding at 15 in the encounter's first game after Zverev's backhand error. The Aussie moved 2-1 in front with a powerful serve in the third game, and the German responded with a hold at 30 in the next one for 2-2.
Aleksandar netted a backhand in the fifth game, facing two break points. Zverev clinched the second after the rival's wayward forehand, forging the advantage and holding with a cracking backhand winner in the next one for 4-2.
Alexander Zverev ousted Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets in New York.
Vukic saved a break point in game seven with a service winner and held to remain within one break deficit. Zverev landed an unreturned serve in the eighth game, producing another comfortable hold and opening a 5-3 gap.
Alexander served for the opener at 5-4 and held at love to build the advantage after 41 minutes. The former finalist fired a return winner in the second set's third game to secure a break and move in front. Vukic fended off three break points in the fifth game and landed a service winner to reduce the deficit and stay in touch.
Alexander experienced his first issues on serve in the seventh game, saving a break point with a powerful serve and holding after four deuces for 4-2. The German painted an ace in the eighth game, opening a 5-3 advantage and serving for the set in game ten.
Vukic sprayed a backhand error, allowing his rival to wrap up the set and earn a 6-4, 6-4 lead after an hour and 29 minutes. With a boost on his side, Zverev blasted a forehand down the line winner in the third set's third game, breaking his opponent at love and moving closer to the finish line.
The German served well in games four and six, opening a 4-2 gap and looking good to seal the deal from there. Instead, the Aussie made one last push and delivered his only break in the eighth game to lock the result at 4-4 and increase the drama.
Alexander made a fresh start and created three break chances in game nine. He converted the last after the rival's forehand error, delivering a break and serving for the victory at 5-4. Zverev fired an ace in the tenth game to emerge at the top and book a place in the second round.