Zverev overcame his debut in Vienna against a qualifying player with suspense and avoided another tough elimination

Nothing seems to be easy for the German Alexander Zverev (3rd), who between unexpected defeats, muscle problems and unfortunate statements has done nothing but lose confidence in himself and at least this Tuesday he avoided another early elimination by defeating the British with suspense Jacob Fearnley (81st) by 6-4, 1-6 and 7-6 (5) in the first round of the Vienna ATP 500.

After confirming his stellar presence in the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, the 28-year-old born in Hamburg faced off for the fourth time this season against the 24-year-old from Worcester, from the qualywhom he had beaten in straight sets at the Australian Open, Miami Masters 1000 and US Open, on this occasion suffering more than necessary to clench his fist and revalidate his status as second seed by totaling just a concrete break in two hours and 19 minutes of play.

Consequently, the former world number 2, who recently participated in the multi-million-dollar Six Kings Slam exhibition and secured his 12th success at the event indoor Austrian, highlighting his coronation in 2021, was just one celebration away from adding 50 wins in the same calendar for the sixth timeafter their sizes performances in 2017 (57), 2018 (60), 2021 (59), 2023 (55) and 2024 (69).

In the next instance, the three-time Grand Slam finalist will clash against the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (72nd), also from the qualifying phase, who in the debut beat the American Aleksandar Kovacevic (65th) 7-5 and 6-4.

All the activity of the Vienna ATP 500 can be followed LIVE on Disney+ Premium Plan.