Zverev cruises in Erste Bank Open, reaches 60 wins in 2024

VIENNA: Top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany secured a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over Austria’s Joel Schwaerzler in the first round of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Monday. The match lasted just 67 minutes, marking Zverev’s 60th victory of the season, equaling his career-best tally from 2018.

Zverev, in top form, did not face a break point and won an impressive 23 of 24 points on his first serve, easily overcoming the 18-year-old Austrian.

Elsewhere, Czech Jakub Mensik upset eighth-seed Alexei Popyrin of Australia, 7-6 (3), 6-2, while Italy’s Matteo Berrettini secured a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics. Italy’s Flavio Cobolli also advanced, defeating Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (1), 6-3.