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Alexander Zverev is through into the Monte Carlo Masters third round. The German faced Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round and scored a 6-4, 6-4 victory in an hour and 47 minutes. Zverev will compete against the ATP Race leader Daniil Medvedev on Thursday for a place in the quarter-final.
The German is back on the positive tally this year after early exits in Indian Wells and Miami and will seek his 350th ATP win against Medvedev. Alexander and Roberto shared the court for the first time since Basel 2018, and the German beat the Spaniard for the fifth time in a row.
The better-ranked player had 26 winners and 30 unforced errors, leaving the opponent on a 14-20 ratio. Zverev landed 26 service winners and forged the difference in the shortest rallies up to four strokes. Alexander struggled on the second serve but defended two out of three break points to keep the pressure on the other side.
Alexander Zverev defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets in Monte Carlo.
Bautista Agut could not follow that pace, losing serve three times to end his run in the second round. Roberto grabbed the encounter's opening game after two deuces and Alexander's poor forehand at the net.
Zverev clinched the second game with a service winner and fired another at 1-2 to remain on the positive side. The German stepped in on the return in game five and cracked a backhand down the line winner for a break at love and a 3-2 advantage.
Zverev claimed the sixth game with a volley winner at the net and earned a break chance in the next one with a forehand down the line winner. He missed it with a loose backhand and allowed Bautista Agut to bring the game home and remain within one break deficit.
Alexander claimed the eighth game with a service winner for 5-3 and fired an ace at 5-4 to clinch the opening set after 50 minutes. There were no breaks at the start of the second set, and Zverev changed that at 2-2. Alexander blasted a backhand down the line bullet to grab a break and move in front.
However, Bautista Agut broke back in game six to return to the positive side. The German broke for the second straight time in the seventh game for a 4-3 lead and a boost. Alexander forced the rival's mistake in the eighth game to confirm the break and move 5-3 ahead.
Zverev served for the victory in game ten and fired a forehand drive-volley winner for two match points. The German seized the first with a service winner for a much-needed win and a place in the last 16.