Alexander wins battle of Zverev brothers at Citi Open

Saturday, 4 August 2018 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Alexander Zverev got the better of older brother Mischa at the Citi Open in Washington on Thursday, winning their first meeting at an ATP Tour event 6-3 7-5.

World number three and top seed Alexander, 21, broke Mischa, 30, three times en route to a victory that sets up a quarter-final with seventh seed Kei Nishikori, who dispatched Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov 7-6(1) 6-3.

Despite the loss, Mischa said it was a match he would always remember.

“After the coin toss I had tears in my eyes because it felt so special,” he added.

“I wondered what are my parents thinking right now. I needed a few seconds to bite my tongue and focus.”

The younger Zverev said he hoped to see his brother across the net again in the future.

“I hope this is not the last time. I hope we play a final one day,” said Alexander, the tournament’s defending champion.

Earlier in the day, second seed John Isner was upset by fellow American Noah Rubin 6-4 7-6(6) in the second round.

Isner, last month’s Atlanta Open champion, appeared fatigued during the match, perhaps owing to a busy July where he played 10 matches consisting of 34 sets and 403 total games.

The win over world number nine Isner was the 22-year-old Rubin’s first over a top 10 opponent.

Due to rain delays earlier in the tournament, however, Rubin had to play 20-year-old Russian Andrey Rublev later on Thursday where he fell 6-3 6-2.

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, the 10th seed, capitalised on a strong service game that included eight aces to earn a 6-3 6-4 win over Australian James Duckworth.

Tsitsipas will face third seed David Goffin in the quarter-finals after the Belgian beat American Frances Tiafoe 6-0 6-3.