Zverev and Tsitsipas advance at the expense of Nishikori and Paire

Alexander Zverev's aspirations to win a new title at the Mutua Madrid Open are still alive after his victory this Wednesday in the second round. The German, world number six, fifth favorite in the table and champion in 2018, surpassed the Japanese, finalist in 2014 and 43rd in the ranking after many physical problems, in one hour and 15 minutes with a 6-3 and 6-2.

Zverev, who already has a title this year, the Acapulco ATP 500 (Nishikori, for his part, has the Rotterdam and Dubai quarters as a ceiling, of the same category), He did not grant many options with his serve despite serving few firsts (65%) and instead he made up to ten breaking balls of which he took advantage of four, two in each sleeve.

Now Sascha, who has reached the quarters in each of his three previous appearances in Madrid, will have a chance to at least repeat that result against Britain's Dan Evans. Evans, 26th in the ATP, continues his good gravel season after signing the semifinals in Monte Carlo, taking down Djokovic among others and this Wednesday he knocked down Australian John Millman (42nd) in three sets and more than two and a half hours of play: 6 -7 (5), 6-2 and 6-3. He has already lifted a trophy so far this year (Melbourne 2) and it is the first time he has passed the second round at the Caja Mágica.

Tsitsipas does not give Paire a choice

Nor did he give an option to his rival Stefanos Tsitsipas, fourth favorite in the table and number 5 in the ranking. The Greek dispatched the wayward French Benoit Paire with a clear 6-1 and 6-2 in less than an hour, 54 minutes specifically, serving 71% of the first and getting five breaks, two in the first quarter and three in the second.. Ticket to eighths after reaching the final of the tournament in 2019.

The Athenian accumulates a remarkable record this year, with 27 victories and six defeats. He comes from reaching the final of the Godó, which he lost to Nadal (his only defeat on the ground so far this year), and from winning the Monte Carlo Masters 1,000, the first of his career and of Greek tennis, a few weeks ago. They will face the Norwegian Ruud in the round of 16, who also passed over the Japanese Nishioka with the same result, 6-1 and 6-2, in 59 minutes. The Norwegian, 22nd in the ranking, has already made the semifinals in Monte Carlo and in Munich. It is the first time in his career that he has defeated Nishioka, without any previous confrontations, and he is in his only appearance to date in the tournament's main draw.

Results, table and calendar.