World quantity two Alexander Zverev stored his Australian Open title cost on observe Wednesday with a straight-sets victory over Spain’s Pedro Martinez.
The German proved too scorching to deal with for his fellow 27-year-old, sweeping into spherical three with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 win in beneath two hours on Rod Laver Enviornment.
Zverev, who’s seeking to higher the semifinal he made final 12 months, will now meet Britain’s Jacob Fearnley who overcame Frenchman Arthur Cazaux in 4 units.
“Often I play 7-6 within the fifth, four-and-a-half hours, however I’m getting older,” Zverev, who’s pursuing a maiden main crown, joked afterwards.
“I’ve to perhaps shorten issues up somewhat bit. Hopefully extra to return within the later rounds.”
Zverev was hardly ever troubled by Martinez, who has by no means been past the third spherical at a Grand Slam earlier than.
Additionally learn | Australian Open 2025, January 16 schedule
Zverev broke instantly with a backhand winner and powered via the primary set in 34 minutes, crunching 10 winners.
Martinez, ranked 44, perked up within the second set, holding his personal till Zverev pounced with back-to-back forehands from the baseline to earn a break for 3-2 and he by no means relented.
The German raced to a two-set lead and an early break for 2-0 within the third despatched him on his technique to a simple victory.
Zverev loved one in every of his greatest seasons ever final 12 months, however a Grand Slam title has remained elusive for practically a decade.
Runner-up finishes on the 2020 US Open and French Open final 12 months are his greatest efforts thus far.