Alexander Zverev off the mark as he dreams of 18-match winning streak and challenging Novak Djokovic

US Open
Alexander Zverev celebrates on court

He took his unbeaten streak to 12 matches with a solid win over Sam Querrey in the opening round of the US Open, but Alexander Zverev admits he is dreaming of bigger and better things.

Fresh from following up his gold medal display at the Tokyo Olympics with a title at the Cincinnati Masters, Zverev kicked off his campaign at the final Grand Slam of the year at Flushing Meadows with 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 victory.

The fourth seed, who finished runner-up to Dominic Thiem in 2020, broke late in the first two sets before running away with things in the third set with an early double break.

“I hope in two weeks’ time I’ll be on an 18-match winning streak,” the German said after the match.

He added: “It’s great to be back. Hopefully I’ll play a few more matches here and it will be even more entertaining.”

Zverev will no doubt fancy his chances of winning a maiden Grand Slam, but world No 1 Novak Djokovic remains the clear-cut favourite as he is chasing a record 21st major while success in New York will also see him complete the Calendar Grand Slam.

The world No 4, though, hopes to challenge the Serbian.

“Novak is chasing history but I think the young guys are going to try and get in the way of that and I am looking forward to maybe giving him a challenge as well,” he said.

Wimbledon semi-finalist and 10th seed Hubert Hurkacz also advanced in three sets as the 10th-seeded Pole defeated Egor Gerasimov 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 while former US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori beat Salvatore Caruso 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.

However, 25th seed Karen Khachanov crashed out as the Russian went down as the Russian suffered a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, -3-6, 2-6 loss against Lloyd Harris from South Africa.

Alexander Zverev Hubert Hurkacz Karen Khachanov Sam Querrey

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