Zverev beats Khachanov, become first ATP player to reach 50 wins this season

Alexander Zverev on Thursday came out on top on day three at the Cincinnati Open when he eased past Karen Khachanov.

The 26-year-old German overcame Karen Khachanov, a native from Moscow 6-3, 6-2 for an opening win at the ATP Masters 1000 event in America.

“I felt well on the court,” Zverev said. “I have felt well in practise and then it is easier to bring on court. I didn’t feel well in Canada at all, even in the few matches I won. I hope my form is getting better and better and I can play some good tennis.

“We are very similar players. We are both very tall and good baseline players and when we are both playing it is about form and who is playing better and today I am happy that it was me and I got a good win today.”

Alexander Zverev who became the first player to earn 50 tour-level wins this season, lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2021, will play Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round.

In other action, fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz rallied past Yoshihito Nishioka 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 to reach the third round.

Jack Draper also survived a three-set thriller Thursday at the Cincinnati Open, where he fought off ninth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 to reach the Round of 16. He next face seventh seed Casper Ruud  or Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Ben Shelton saved a match point to overcome Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7(6), 7-6(7), 6-3 after two hours, 52 minutes. Shelton will next face Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, who earlier upset eighth seed Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.