Australian Open 2024: Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud win thrillers to advance to round 3
In a nerve-wrecking encounter at the Australian Open, Zverev managed to narrowly avert a second-round exit by coming back from behind in a five-set thriller against qualifier Lukas Klein.
The match between Zverev and Klein was a torrid affair lasting four and a half hours. Zverev, however, showed resilience, surging back to claim a 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(10-7) victory. The win marked the German’s 400th triumph at tour-level and extended his record of victories against qualifiers to 17.
Speaking after his win, Zverev hailed his Slovakian opponent, saying he probably deserved to win the match.
“He played incredible. I didn’t really know what to do a lot of the times. To be honest, he probably deserved to win the match more than me today. But that’s how tennis goes sometimes. Obviously I’m happy that I’m through, but his ranking is not valid to how he’s playing right now,” said Zverev.
Zverev, who was instrumental to Germany’s United Cup win earlier in January, is set to face Alex Michelsen, a young American tennis player in the third round. Zverev’s most successful stint at the Australian Open was a semi-final appearance in 2020, which remains one of his six runs to that stage or beyond in Grand Slams.
RUUD ADVANCES TO ROUND 3
Ruud emerged victorious after a gruelling five-set match against local favourite Max Purcell. The 11th beat Purcell 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(10-7).
This encounter brought the head-to-head between the two to 1-1, compensating for Ruud’s earlier three-set defeat by Purcell in Cincinnati last season. Notably, this win boosted Ruud’s impressive 7-1 record against players on their home turf in Grand Slams, with his only defeat coming against Liam Broady at last year’s Wimbledon.
The Australian Open marks Ruud’s fifth appearance. His he reached the fourth round of the competition in 2021, his best outing at the tournament.
