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Alexander Zverev became the first player to earn 50 tour-level wins this season on Thursday at the Cincinnati Open, where he overcame Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 for an opening win at the ATP Masters 1000 event.

The German dominated throughout the 78-minute clash and coped with a 10-minute rain delay in the second set. The 27-year-old hugged the baseline to strike 16 winners compared to nine from Khachanov, improving to 5-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

"I felt well on the court," Zverev said. "I have felt well in practise and then it is easier to bring on court. I didn't feel well in Canada at all, even in the few matches I won. I hope my form is getting better and better and I can play some good tennis.

"We are very similar players. We are both very tall and good baseline players and when we are both playing it is about form and who is playing better and today I am happy that it was me and I got a good win today."

Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2021, will play Australian Max Purcell or Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round.

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Zverev has earned at least 50 tour-level wins in a season five times in his career, having also hit the milestone in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Earlier this year, the No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings won his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome and will be eager to add to that total in Ohio, where he is the third seed.

"It has been a good year but I have had some very tough losses that I have had to take," Zverev said. "It is about learning and improving and hopefully I can get back to a Grand Slam final and hopefully win it."

2024 Win Leaders

Alexander Zverev 50-15
Jannik Sinner 45-5
Casper Ruud* 44-13
Carlos Alcaraz* 38-7
*Compete later on Thursday

A deep run in Cincinnati will also boost Zverev’s hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. A two-time champion at the year-end event, Zverev is third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

German has earned Tour-leading 51 wins in 2024
August 16, 2024
Alexander Zverev in action in Cincinnati.
Getty Images
Alexander Zverev in action in Cincinnati.
By ATP Staff
Alexander Zverev became the 10th player in history to reach 30 ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals on Friday at the Cincinnati Open, where he moved past Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 7-6(6).

The third-seeded German recovered from squandering break advantages in both sets to eventually earn his 51st win of the season. Zverev lifted his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome earlier this year and will aim to add to that tally in Ohio, where he next meets Ben Shelton or Fabian Marozsan.

Zverev, who struck 26 winners in his two-hour, five-minute win against Carreno Busta, has fond memories in Cincinnati. The 27-year-old captured the trophy in 2021 and reached the semi-finals last season.

A deep run at the hard-court event will also boost Zverev’s hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. A two-time champion at the year-end event, Zverev is third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

Rain interrupted play twice during the third set
August 18, 2024
Highlights: Zverev edges Shelton to reach semi-finals Cincinnati 2024
Alexander Zverev waited to the penultimate game of the match to claim his lone break to topple Ben Shelton. Watch live & on demand at teenistv.com.

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Mike Lawrence/ATP Tour
Alexander Zverev will rise to World No. 2 if he takes the title in Cincinnati.
By ATP Staff
Alexander Zverev survived a tough test from home favourite Ben Shelton and multiple rain delays on Saturday at the Cincinnati Open, where he earned a dramatic 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 win to reach the semi-finals in Ohio for the third consecutive time.

In front of a vocal crowd, the German withstood an attacking display from American Shelton and raised his level when required to clinch victory in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, which was twice interrupted due to rain in the third set.

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"It was very difficult in the windy conditions when you don't have any rhythm, and when someone's serving like he does, it's really tough to get into the games,” Zverev said. “The first set and a half I had no idea what I was doing, so I'm very happy I got there in the end.

"To be interrupted twice by rain in the third set, once at 3-4 and once at 4-5, with me serving both times, that isn't easy. You want to be in a rhythm and that takes you out of your comfort zone.”

After squandering his first seven break point opportunities, Zverev had to wait until the second resumption of play from rain and 5-all in the decider to break Shelton. Trying to serve out the match in the following game, Zverev threw in two double faults to go down a break point before winning the final three points of the match.

Although Zverev struggled with Shelton's off-pace shots to his forehand during the match, it was the American who made significantly more unforced errors (39 to 30) in the challenging conditions. Zverev also had the better serving night, winning 81 per cent of first-serve points to Shelton's 73 per cent, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

Zverev has earned a Tour-leading 52 wins this season, highlighted by his title run at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. Into his 19th semi-final at this level, the World No. 4 will next meet the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner.

Zverev has fond memories in Cincinnati, where he lifted the trophy in 2021. He also advanced to the semi-finals in 2023. A deep run at the hard-court event has also boosted Zverev’s hopes of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. A two-time champion at the year-end event, Zverev is third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

Shelton was aiming to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. The 21-year-old is up one spot to No. 13 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings following his quarter-final run.

Did You Know?
Zverev holds a 22-0 record against left handers since Roland Garros in 2023.