Paris Masters: Alexander Zverev keeps Diego Schwartzman at bay

Alexander Zverev played his way into the next round of the Rolex Paris Masters. In the round of sixteen, the German number one did not let anything burn against Diego Schwartzman and won 6:4 and 6:2.

It was only the second meeting between Alexander Zverev and Diego Schwartzman. In 2014, the Argentinian swept over the then only 17-year-old German 6-1 and 6-0.

Four years later it wasn’t going to be that easy for the Argentinian. Both players entered the match in the round of 16 in the Bercy district of Paris and waited. Schwartzman confronted Zverev with tasks and did not give in to long baseline duels. The five years younger NextGen star on the opposite side, however, did not give in and quickly grabbed the 2-1 break lead.

Zverev also kept the upper hand after the match, was not disturbed by two break points against himself and set after 40 minutes on 6:4.

Zverev also started well in set two and promptly earned two break points, which Schwartzman was able to fend off. The German also got into trouble for a short time, but was able to rely on his strong serve and continued to hold himself harmless.

At 1:1, Zverev put another few percent on his game and grabbed another early and deserved break. As usual, Zverev played casually with the lead in his back, varied well and earned free points again and again. Another break to the 4:1 lead was the preliminary decision. After 1:20 hours, the 21-year-old transformed his first match point into the round of the last eight players.

Zverev will face Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals, who beat John Isner in a tight game. Khachanov played great tennis and won in the end 6:4, 6:7 (9) and 7:6 (8).