Alexander Zverev also won his second match at the US Open - but again he had to go over five sets. Zverev defeated Frances Tiafoe of the USA 3-3, 3-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 after 3:09 hours and is in the third round for the second time in New York.
"I'm just glad I won somehow, but sometimes I'd like to win easier than in five sets," said Zverev after his eleventh match over the full distance with a major.
As in his opening victory over five sets against the Moldovan Radu Albot Zverev began strong. The ATP champion won the first ten points of the game and took the lead 3-0, bringing the first set home safely. But then his game was error-prone, the serve wobbled. Driven by the home crowd on the center court, Tiafoe won passage two.
Unlike many disappointing games in recent weeks, Zverev remained calm after this setback. While Tiafoe completely lost the thread, Zverev now played again safer and more powerful. After the lost third set Tiafoe disappeared in the cabin for about ten minutes - and the game took its next turn. In the final set Zverev turned out to be more nervous and turned his first match point.