Alexander Zverev off the mark with a win against Marin Cilic
Alexander Zverev overcame a sluggish start to beat Marin Cilic in his opening round-robin match at the 2018 ATP Finals.
The world No 5 found himself 3-0 down in the first set, but eventually found his rhythm and secured a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1) win over former US Open winner Cilic in just over two hours.
Super Sascha! 🙌
Zverev gets off the mark in London with a 7-6(5) 7-6(1) victory over Cilic. #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/5x0dMbIth0
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 12, 2018
Zverev broke back in game nine of the opening set and, after squandering a couple of set points in the tie-breaker, he eventually took the set in one hour and five minutes.
Cilic again had the initial advantage in the second set as he broke in game seven, but the German hit back in the very next game to draw level and then dominated the tie-breaker.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic will take on John Isner in the second match in the Guga Kuerten Group in the evening session at the O2 Arena in London.
More from Tennis365:
Comment: Roger Federer’s lack of excuses suggest he is closer to the end that we feared
Five key questions ahead of ATP Finals: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with stories at stake
Judy Murray on why she thinks more female role models need to jump into the world of tennis coaching
EXCLUSIVE: Judy Murray urges tennis to shed its elitist tag and open its doors to the masses
Analysis: Rafael Nadal has surely disappointed in 2018 despite clay season brilliance
Top 10: Things that have happened on the ATP Tour since Novak Djokovic last finished year as No 1
Latest
-
Tennis NewsAndy Murray’s former coaches hit back at Mats Wilander after he urges the Scot to consider his future
Andy Murray backed by two of his former mentors.
-
NewsLiam Broady and Cameron Norrie crash out of French Open
Heather Watson is left to fly the British flag when she takes on Fiona Ferro of France on Tuesday.
-
NewsRafael Nadal starts ‘different Roland Garros’ with solid win to extend French Open record to 94-2
Nadal starts quest for Grand Slam No 20 with solid win.
-
NewsSerena Williams after first-round win: ‘I just need to play with more confidence, like I’m Serena’
Williams pushed to a tie-break in the first set.
-
NewsLiam Broady’s French Open main draw debut ends in opening-round defeat
Broady came through qualifying for first time at a major.
-
NewsNo US Open hangover for Dominic Thiem as he makes impressive French Open start
US Open champ Dominic Thiem continues winning run.
-
Grand Slam‘I will do everything I can to keep Roger Federer No 1,’ jokes Dominic Thiem
Thiem eyeing a few more Grand Slam titles.
-
French OpenDan Evans on the balls being used at the 2020 French Open: ‘You wouldn’t give to a dog to chew’
Dan Evans clearly not a fan of the French Open balls.
-
NewsMiserable day for British hopes at gloomy French Open as Dan Evans, Andy Murray, Johanna Konta exit
Three British players lost on day one at Roland Garros.
-
NewsAlexander Zverev puts US Open agony behind him as he makes strong French Open start
Zverev was playing his first match since losing to Thiem.