Australian Open 2025: Alexander Zverev zooms into fourth round

NEW DELHI: In the third round of the Australian Open, second seed Alexander Zverev defeated Briton Jacob Fearnley in straight sets, accelerating his progress.

At Margaret Court Arena, the 27-year-old German dominated his opponent, defeating him 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 2 minutes.

Zverev's victory was his 28th Australian Open victory, trailing only Boris Becker in the record for most by a German player.

The 23-year-old Fearnley, who is only at his second Grand Slam, was praised by Zverev.

"He's an incredible player," said Zverev, who is pursuing a maiden major crown after a decade of trying.

"He went through all the stages, he went to college, through the Challenger (series) and now he's on the big tour playing third round at a Grand Slam.

"So massive respect for him. He's only getting better."

Zverev has been systematic throughout the tournament and hasn't lost a set, and he's hoping to improve on his semi-final performance from the previous year.

In game six, he took the initiative. He gained the break after an eight-stroke rally after a Fearnley double fault gave him a chance. This was sufficient to take the set.

In the second set, they traded early breaks before Zverev was allowed in again by a double fault by the Briton, and a badly played backhand at the net gave the German an insurmountable 5-4 advantage.

In the third set, Zverev once again lost up an early break, but he immediately recovered to put pressure on Fearnley's service, move 4-2 clear, and then cruise to the finish line.

Although Zverev had one of his best seasons in 2020, his best Grand Slams to date are still his runner-up results at the 2020 US Open and French Open.