Third match on RLA on Day Two of the 2019 Australian Open displayed the wares of world number four, Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev, leader of the young guns, and winner of the 2018 year end ATP Finals, where he dismissed Roger Federer in the semis and Novak Djokovic in the finale.
His opponent was Aljaz Bedene, world ranked 67, from Slovenia.
Zverev served first and had to save a break point to hold, which he did, and both players held serve in the opening six games, Bedene doing so the easier. Zverev was taken to deuce in the fifth game.
After losing a 32 shot rally in game six, Bedene won the next three points to level at 3-3.
In the seventh game, Zverev was up 30-0. Then a loose stretch of shots off the German racquet produced a break point for Bedene, and he converted to lead 4-3.
A forehand return winner from Zverev followed by a forcing backhand, and a cross court forehand winner, created triple break back point, and quickly it was 4-4.
A spectacular point ended with a brilliant drop shot from Bedene, but he was helpless to combat the German serve, even with a double fault.
5-4
Errors from Slovenia and a German winner created two set points for Zverev and he needed only one to lead 6-4.
Following a service hold in the opening game of set two, Zverev was gifted a break from Bedene, after the Slovenian wasted two game points. One forehand pass, when Zverev had practically run to the outer suburbs, was magic.
The fourth seed broke again in the fourth game, showing off with a backhand, then a drop shot.
A stop volley was quality from Zverev, but he slipped a couple of mistakes in between the good stuff. An ace cleaned up any litter and Zverev registered his fifth game on the scoreboard.
Bedene finally won a game, but it meant little because Zverev was almost untouchable at the line, bringing up three set points.
An ace for 6-4 6-1.
Games were 2-2 in the third set, with a service break apiece.
Bedene was far more competitive in the early stages of set three, while Zverev committed a greater amount of unforced errors.
A near perfect service game from the fourth seed levelled things at 3-3, and Bedene was suddenly at the line again.
Zverev was lucky with a net cord, and even Bedene’s ace was insufficient to counter the all court coverage of the German, who broke serve. 4-3.
Easy ride to 5-3, and Bedene needed to hold serve to remain in the tournament.
Bedene survived four deuces and one match point but still Zverev would serve for the match.
Two winners, including one on the first of three match points presented Sascha Zverev with the win 6-4 6-1 6-4.
35 winners in a pretty good opening performance.
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