Novak Djokovic (SRB) returns a shot against Adrian Mannarino (FRA) in the Western and Southern Tennis Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center, in Mason, OH, USA, on August 15, 2018. Photo: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
Dutchman Robin Haase upset German fourth seed Alexander Zverev 5-7 6-5 7-5 at the Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday and Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round before rain interrupted play.
Haase, who last week kicked off his North American hardcourt swing by reaching the Toronto quarter-finals, converted six of seven break point opportunities to get by world number three Zverev in a match lasting two hours and 25 minutes.
World number 55 Haase improved to a 2-2 career record against Zverev, including victories in their last two meetings.
“We’ve played four times now,” Haase said. “The first time he literally kicked my ass. … That was the tournament where he actually came up. And, yeah, since then he’s come a long way.
“And now I was there twice physically, mentally and game-wise I was there. And we have to be a little bit lucky, as well, against these top guys.”
Haase will face Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round after the Spanish 13th seed beat Bradley Klahn 6-4 6-4.
Zverev’s older brother Mischa was scheduled to face defending Cincinnati champion Grigor Dimitrov but their match was delayed by rain.
Play will not resume before 5:45 pm ET (2145 GMT) but the forecast did not look favourable for the rest of the day.
Djokovic, who needs the Cincinnati title to complete his collection of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies, rallied to defeat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 4-6 6-2 6-1.
The 10th-seeded Serb, who has reached the final five times, suffered stomach problems during the match and was tended to by a doctor during the second set.
Djokovic returned to wrap up the second set and raced into a 5-0 lead in the decider before serving out the match. Djokovic will next face either fifth seed Dimitrov or Zverev.
Former champion Marin Cilic of Croatia, competing in Cincinnati for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2016, beat Romanian qualifier Marius Copil 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori is scheduled to face Swiss wildcard Stan Wawrinka later on Wednesday while Argentine fourth seed Juan Martin Del Potro is due to conclude the evening session with a match against South Korean Chung Hyeon.
Written by Sandeep
This news first appeared on https://thehimalayantimes.com/sports/haase-stuns-zverev-in-cincinnati-djokovic-advances/ under the title “Haase stuns Zverev in Cincinnati, Djokovic advances”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
