World no. 2 Alexander Zverev will compete in the last 16 at Majors for the 21st time. The German has been on a roll in Melbourne this week, passing the opening three obstacles without losing a set, which was not often the case in the past.
Alexander faced Jacob Fearnley in the third round and scored a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory in two hours and two minutes. Last year’s semi-finalist served at 72% and defended four of six break points. Zverev landed 25 winners and 15 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely.
Fearnley could not match those numbers. He dropped 35% of the points in his games and gave serve away five times from 12 chances offered to his opponent. Alexander built a massive 59-39 advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, earning the win in that segment.
It’s hard to hold serve right now! @alexzverev retrieves a crazy shot, then puts away a better one at the net!
The German breaks and leads 6-3 6-4 3-2@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/v5xAykejhO
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2025
Zverev was off to a reliable start. He settled into a fine rhythm behind the initial shot in the opener, dropping a couple of points in five games. Jacob produced two fine holds for 2-2 before facing issues in game six. The Briton netted a forehand in the sixth game and suffered a break at love.
Alexander cemented the break with a hold at love in game seven after a service winner. World no. 2 served for the opener at 5-3 and held at 15 with a powerful serve, wrapping up the set in 30 minutes. Fearnley served well early in the second set and had a chance to move in front.
Alexander Zverev, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Zverev faced two break points in the second game and defended them to keep his initial shot intact. The returners stood no chance in the next four games, and the German changed that in the middle of the set. Alexander closed the sixth game with a volley winner.
He made a push on the return in the next one and earned three break points. The favorite landed a backhand crosscourt winner after a lucky net cord on the last, moving a set and a break in front. The Briton stepped in on the return at 3-4.
Jacob Fearnley & Alexander Zverev, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He converted a break chance with a well-constructed attack and a forehand winner, pulling the break back and locking the result at 4-4. Instead of building on that, Jacob hit a double fault in the ninth game and netted a volley to drop serve and fall 5-4 behind.
Alexander served for the set in game ten and landed an ace for a hold at love, moving 6-3, 6-4 up after an hour and 18 minutes. World no. 2 secured another break in the third game of the third set when his rival sprayed a backhand error.
Alexander Zverev, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Fearnley pulled the break back in the next one with a forced error, returning to the positive side. Zverev kept his composure and earned a break chance in game five with a volley winner. Jacob sprayed a forehand error, losing serve and falling 3-2 behind.
The Briton faced four more break points in the seventh game. He denied them and held, remaining within one break deficit. Alexander closed the eighth game with a service winner and served for the win at 5-4.
He earned two match point with a service winner and converted the first with another to move into the fourth round.
Tennis World USA