Alexander Zverev looks ahead to his blockbuster with Andy Murray as he seals ATP Finals spot
Alexander Zverev overcame American Jenson Brooksby in three sets to reach the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and set up a blockbuster clash with Andy Murray.
The German got off to a strong start but stumbled in the second amid a wave of unforced errors, but he got his ground game back under control in the third to cruise home 6-4 3-6 6-1 and set up a clash with Murray, who earlier earned a three-set victory over Spanish rising star Carlos Alcaraz.
The win secured Zverev a place in the end-of-season ATP Finals in Turin, as he confirmed he was happy with his form.
“I’ve had my best season so far and I am really happy to have qualified,” Zverev said.
“I will be playing in Turin for the first time and I love competing in Italy in front of passionate fans. I have had good results in Italy and hope it will continue that way.”
He also looked forward to his match with Murray as he added: “I think he’s the only one of the Big Four I haven’t beaten yet, so I hope I can change that.
“It’s incredible how well he’s moving and incredible how well he’s playing. I think he’s very motivated so I hope I can show my best tennis.”
Greek second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas barely broke a sweat as he swept past Spaniard Pedro Martinez 6-2 6-4.
The world number 3 will next face Fabio Fognini after the Italian outlasted Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 4-6 6-3.
The upset of the day went to Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who shocked Canadian seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets to book a third-round matchup against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Italian Jannik Sinner beat Australia’s John Millman 6-4 6-2, while Alex De Minaur eclipsed fellow Aussie Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 7-5.
He will meet Chilean 13th seed Cristian Garin in the third round after he disposed of American qualifier Ernesto Escobedo in straight sets.
Matteo Berrettini, John Isner, Taylor Fritz, Kevin Anderson, Karen Khachanov, Gael Monfils and Pablo Carreno Busta rounded out Sunday’s victors.
