Making his tournament debut, top seed Alexander Zverev took down Serbian Dusan Lajovic with a straight-sets win to advance to the Argentina Open quarterfinals on Wednesday night in Buenos Aires.
World number two Alexander Zverev launched his first-ever campaign at the IEB+ Argentina Open with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over unseeded Dusan Lajovic in one hour and 37 minutes on Court Guillermo Villas.
In his on-court interview, the German player outlined: “I’m happy with my win today. Maybe not the best match I’ve played, but it’s great to get your first win on the clay court.”
“The Argentines are very passionate, so it’s incredible to see a lot of people out for a first-round match. I’m enjoying myself, and hopefully, I’ll play a lot more matches here.”
Playing in his first tournament since reaching the Australian Open final, Zverev made a solid start playing on the red clay surface.
For his part, Lajovic, who won his two singles ATP titles on the red clay surface outdoors, showcased a consistent display throughout, trying to take the ball early to find an edge.
A balanced start of their fifth matchup on tour went on serve until the former world No. 23 misfired, allowing his opponent to find breathing room.
Zverev opened the set in his favor when he converted a crucial break in the seventh game, backing it up to earn a 5-3 advantage.
However, the 34-year-old Serbian quickly bounced back, but to hold his ground, he had to survive a grueling eighth game, featuring five battles at deuce before narrowing the gap 4-5.
Despite committing some unusual errors, the German escaped danger, fending off a break point and then rallying to close out the first set 6-4 in 44 minutes.
Raising his game, the Belgrade-born moved his adversary side to side of the court, breaking early to open a 2-0 lead.
Nonetheless, the 23-time ATP titlist seemed more comfortable on the surface, breaking straight back and holding to clinch a 4-2 lead while playing against an inspired rival.
The No. 81 adjusted his game, fiercely fighting to stage a comeback, but in the key moments, Zverev held his nerve, finding his way to pocket the second set 6-4, wrapping up the triumph in Buenos Aires.
Setting off his maiden Golden Swing appearance with a victory, the 27-year-old hit 27 winners to 20 unforced errors, converting three of seven break points.
Moreover, he won 80 percent of the points on his first serve and 39 percent behind his second delivery.
Lajovic kicked off his 11th appearance in Buenos Aires by coming through Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(8), 7-5 in a tight two-hour, 21-minute match to progress into the second round, when he met Zverev.
Earlier in the day, Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca sealed his debut at the ATP 250 event, cruising past eight seed Tomas Martin Etchevery 6-3, 6-3 in 84 minutes to secure his spot in the round of 16.
In his second year as a professional tennis player, he became the third-youngest match-winner in the tournament.
Next, the talented 18-year-old will face Argentine Federico Coria on Thursday, looking to reach the quarterfinals.
Elsewhere, home hero Diego Schwartzman earned a monumental 7-6(10), 4-6, 6-3 win over seventh seed Nicolas Jarry to keep his last dance going on home soil.
The former world No. 8 is retiring at age 32; the Argentina Open is the final event on tour he contests.
After his first-rounder, he said: “I was expecting after the match to cry a little bit, be ready for emotion, not for the win.”