Alexander Zverev overcomes Christopher Eubanks to set up Karen Khachanov clash in last 16 at Miami Open
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Updated 25/03/2024 at 20:00 GMT
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev advanced into the last 16 of the Miami Open as he beat Christopher Eubanks in straight sets. Zverev came from 5-3 down to take the first set and then broke early in the second set. Zverev will next face Karen Khachanov, who battled past Francisco Cerundolo in three sets. Fabian Marozsan also reached the last 16 after beating Alexei Popyrin.
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Alexander Zverev reached the last 16 of the Miami Open with victory over Christopher Eubanks on Monday.
The fourth seed fought back from a break down in the opening set and went on to win 7-5 6-3.
He will next face Karen Khachanov, who needed five match points before eventually getting the better of Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 5-7 7-6(5).
It will be the first meeting between Zverev and Khachanov since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics final, which Zverev won in straight sets to claim gold.
Zverev's serving was key in his win over Eubanks as he made 78% of his first serves and won 13 of 16 points behind his second serve. He also saved four of five break points.
“It was a difficult match," said Zverev.
"I thought he was in control of it throughout the first set. I was just hanging on and sometimes that is just what you need to do.
“He came out swinging and didn’t give me chances to be aggressive. I tried to mix it up from the baseline. I was surprised how well he was playing from the baseline, not giving me many unforced errors. He makes a lot but usually misses a lot but today he wasn’t missing, especially through some stages of the first set.”
The match started with three love holds in the opening four games.
Eubanks made inroads on Zverev’s serve in the sixth game but couldn’t convert a break point. He did take his chance two games later though to move 5-3 ahead.
But from 30-30 in the next game Eubanks couldn’t close out the set as Zverev broke straight back.
Zverev then managed to edge a rain-interrupted tie-breaker to move ahead in the match.
The second set saw Zverev quickly jump out in front as he won the first three games in a row.
A love hold made it 4-1 to Zverev and he sealed victory after a tense final game that saw Eubanks pass up three break points.
Zverev eventually closed it out with a volley put into the open court.
Fabio Marozsan continued his streak of reaching at least the last 16 at every Masters 1000 he has played as he beat Alexei Popyrin.
Marozsan, who upset sixth seed Holger Rune in the previous round, won 7-5 6-3 against Popyrin.
World No. 57 Marozsan has only once made it past the last 16 in three previous appearances at this stage of a Masters 1000.
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz plays Gael Monfils later in the day in Miami.
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