Alexander Zverev sends David Ferrer into retirement, Fabio Fognini solid as a rock in Madrid

Alexander Zverev overcame another sluggish start to beat David Ferrer at the Madrid Open and send the Spaniard into retirement while Fabio Fognini had no problems beating John Millman.
Defending champion Zverev has struggled to find form in recent months with a string of early exits, but he is into the quarter-finals in Madrid after a 6-4, 6-1 win over Ferrer.
An illustrious career comes to an end 😔@DavidFerrer87 hangs up his racket after a 6-4 6-1 defeat to Alexander Zverev in Madrid.#GraciasFerru pic.twitter.com/xMQ4MBRqau
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 8, 2019
Playing in the final tournament of his 19-year professional career, Ferrer made a brilliant start to his third-round clash as he broke the German’s serve in game four to open a 3-1 lead, but Zverev won the final four games to take the set.
It was one-way traffic in the second set as Zverev set up a last-eight match against Hubert Hurkacz after the Pole beat Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-1.
Monte-Carlo Masters champion Fognini continues to look good on clay as the Italian rolled over Millman from Australia, winning 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and nine minutes.
Next up for Fognini is fifth seed Dominic Thiem.
Eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas was also relatively untroubled as the Greek secured a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Adrian Mannarino to set up a clash against Fernando Verdasco, who upset 11th seed Karen Khachanov 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 7-5.
Stefanos Tsitsipas moves on in Madrid! 🇬🇷
Six consecutive wins on clay, he defeats Adrian Mannarino 6-2 7-5.#MMOpen 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/P7L4JO4neA
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 8, 2019
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Wimbledon
WATCH: Novak Djokovic becomes autograph hunter on behalf of his kids, gets Venus Williams’ signature
Novak Djokovic the autograph hunter.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal allays Covid-19 close contact fears after Matteo Berrettini’s Wimbledon withdrawal
“I feel very sorry for him because he was playing fantastic.”
-
Live Tennis
Wimbledon day three: Follow the action from SW19 with Tennis365’s live scores and results centre here…
Catch the action from Wimbledon with our live scores and results centre…
-
Wimbledon
Dan Evans to move on ‘pretty swiftly’ after Wimbledon exit: ‘It hurts. But I can have a party on my own’
Dan Evans suffered a straight-sets defeat.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray signs up for Laver Cup as he joins ‘Europe’s Avengers’ alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
“Europe’s Avengers” squad features Andy Murray.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day two: Brits march on, ‘it’s just wow’ for Harmony Tan after Serena Williams win, Covid-19 fears
A look back at day two at Wimbledon.
-
Wimbledon
Serena Williams remains coy about her future after Wimbledon exit: ‘Who knows where I’ll pop up’
Will we see Serena Williams at Wimbledon again?
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon TV, streaming info: How to watch Novak Djokovic, Emma Raducanu, Andy Murray matches
Your Wimbledon order of play, TV, streaming info.
-
Wimbledon
Katie Boulter salutes British team spirit after stunning Wimbledon success
Katie Boulter helped British players to their best Wimbledon first round return in a quarter of a century.
-
Wimbledon
What next for Serena Williams as she loses in the first round of Wimbledon?
Williams is facing fresh questions over her future in tennis after her much-hyped comeback ended in defeat.