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
-
ATP Tour
Casper Ruud breezes into Geneva Open last eight
Casper Ruud sets out to defend Geneva crown.
-
WTA Tour
WTA rules against stripping UK grass court events of points
WTA rules against stripping UK grass court events of points, yet to make call on Wimbledon.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek to kick off her grass season at Berlin Open
Iga Swiatek to start her grass court swing in the same country as her clay swing.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Murray confirmed for Queen’s as Scot also signs up for Surbiton event
Big names, including Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini, set for Queen’s Club.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic ‘has a feeling of revenge within him’ ahead of Roland Garros, says Mats Wilander
Mats Wilander backing Novak Djokovic to win back-to-back French Open titles.
-
Tennis News
Simona Halep feeling refreshed as she reveals Patrick Mouratoglou ‘helped me to find my love for tennis again’
Simona Halep thriving under Patrick Mouratoglou.
-
French Open
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova out of French Open and will skip rest of 2022 season due to injury
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova set for lengthy spell on the sidelines.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal the favourite to win French Open, but Patrick McEnroe is ‘leaning towards’ Novak Djokovic
Patrick McEnroe has his say on the battle for the French Open title.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu joined by Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens, Jelena Ostapenko at Birmingham event
Quality field set for Rothesay Classic Birmingham.
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev ‘should be ready for Roland Garros’ as he gives his verdict after Geneva Open defeat
Some positives and some negatives for Daniil Medvedev.