Alexander Zverev achieves 50th victory of the season, advancing in Cincinnati | ATP Tour

Matching Report

Zverev wins 50th season, advances to Cincinnati

Germany are chasing their second title of the year

August 15, 2024

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

Germany prevailed throughout the 78-minute clash and suffered a 10-minute rain delay in the second set. The 27-year-old hugged the baseline to hit 16 winners compared to nine from Khachanov, improving to 5-2 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“I felt good on the court,” said Zverev. “I felt good when I practice and it’s easy to enter the court. I didn’t feel good in Canada even in the few matches I won. I hope my form is getting better and I will be able to play good tennis.

“We are very similar players. We are both very tall and beautiful players and when we play together it is about form and who plays 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 Australia’s Max Purcell or Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round.

Zverev has achieved at least 50 wins at the tour level in a season five times in his career, having also hit the mark in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Earlier this year, the number 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings won his sixth title. An ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome and he will be eager to add to that tally in Ohio, where he is the third seed.

“It’s been a good year but I’ve had a tough loss that I had to take,” said Zverev. “It’s about learning and improving and hopefully I can get back to a Grand Slam final and hopefully win it.”

2024 Win Leaders

*Will compete later on Thursday

A strong run in Cincinnati will further boost Zverev’s hopes of making it to the Nitto ATP Finals. A two-time champion at the year-end event, Zverev is third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.