Zverev knocks off American youngster Nakashima to advance to the third round

• US Open 2020 second round, men’s singles
• ZVEREV d. NAKASHIMA 7-5, 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-1
• Key information: Zverev shook off early tightness against Nakashima and cruised to victory.
• You will also learn: Adrian Mannarino awaits the German in round three.
• Why you should read this story: To read about world No 220 Nakashima, who had a cracker of a backhand to answer Zverev’s services early on.

It took Alexander Zverev four sets, but he was able to fend off American Brandon Nakashima, albeit in four sets (7-5, 6-7[8], 6-3, 6-1), to surge on to the third round, where he will face the 32-seed French Adrian Mannarino.

After finding a crucial break in the 11^th game of the first set, Zverev almost surrender a break to drop the set in the second. The German was able to make it into the tiebreak, but following the exchanges of two mini-breaks, it was Nakashima who took a 9-8 lead at the end and broke the world No 7 to tie it up at 1-1. Zverev was also facing some inconsistencies with his serve earlier on, recording 10 double faults despite cranking out 24 aces. His service game steadied later on as in the latter sets, the double faults stopped plaguing him.

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Zverev stepped up his game for the latter sets, though, as he did not allow a single break point opportunity to his opponent. Both sets saw the German take an early break and to stake his hold on the sets as his service game steadied out after early tumultuousness.

The German was also being poked fun of after the match, as his interview ended with a question regarding his frequent shirtless-ness around the Flushing Meadows. Mannarino will be awaiting Zverev after defeating American Jack Sock 7-6(5), 7-5, 6-2 in his round two matchup.

• Also read: Day 2 recap
• Also read: Day 3 schedule
• Also read: Medvedev identified as one of the ‘Paire 11’ as documents reveal new US Open COVID protocols