Alexander Zverev looked as if he was going to miss the chance to fully cement his Nitto ATP Finals qualification claims after 40 minutes of play on Tuesday at the Rolex Paris Masters.
Two hours later and the German’s position in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin became comfortable again after he rallied past Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the second round in Paris.
“It was just one or two points [that made the difference],” Zverev said. “He was playing incredibly well and tactically I think he was unbelievable… His slice was effective as I did not know what to do on this surface here. It was a very difficult match and I am happy to be through. I found my level and I am happy with that.”
Zverev recovered from a slow start at the ATP Masters 1000 event in France, where he won 63 per cent (15/24) of his first-serve points in the opening set. He recovered well, improving on serve as the match went on to earn his 52nd tour-level win of the year after two hours and 40 minutes.
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Zverev is currently seventh in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin on 3,540 points, 430 points ahead of ninth-placed Hubert Hurkacz, who is just outside the Top 8 cut. The 26-year-old is aiming to make his sixth appearance at the prestigious year-end event, having triumphed in 2018 and 2021.
The World No. 9 will continue the quest for his third trophy of the year against Ugo Humbert after the Frenchman beat Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-3.
Hurkacz kept alive his Turin hopes with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 win against American Sebastian Korda. The Pole failed to serve out the match at 5-4 in the second set, while he squandered a match point at 6/5 in the second-set tie-break. However, he recovered in the decider to earn victory after two hours and eight minutes.
Hurkacz, who is aiming to make his second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals (2021), captured his second ATP Masters 1000 title in Shanghai earlier this month. The 26-year-old will next meet Roberto Bautista Agut.
In other action, Tomas Martin Etcheverry saved one match point en route to defeating Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4, while Dusan Lajovic beat Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 7-5, 6-3.