**Alexander Zverev Shines at Vienna Open, Notching 60th Win of the Season and Setting the Stage for a Strong Tournament**
World No. 3 Alexander Zverev kicked off his campaign at the ATP 500 event in Vienna with a resounding victory, securing his 60th win of the season with a dominant performance against Austrian teenager Joel Schwaerzler. Zverev, who has been in remarkable form throughout 2023, made quick work of his young opponent, winning 6-2, 6-2 in just 68 minutes to advance to the second round. His powerful display in the opening round reaffirms his status as a top contender for the title, which he previously won in 2021.
### Zverev’s Dominant Numbers Against Schwaerzler
Zverev entered the match as the overwhelming favorite against the 18-year-old Schwaerzler, who was making only his second appearance in an ATP match. From the start, Zverev imposed his superior experience and skill on the young Austrian, particularly excelling on serve. The German won an astonishing 23 of 24 points behind his first serve, showcasing the effectiveness of his powerful delivery. He faced no break points throughout the match, keeping Schwaerzler under constant pressure with his consistent returns and aggressive play.
On the other hand, Schwaerzler struggled to cope with Zverev’s intensity, especially on his second serve, where he dropped over half of the points. Zverev generated eight break points and converted two in each set, never allowing his opponent to settle into the match. With his strong play from both the baseline and at the net, Zverev controlled both the shorter rallies and the more extended exchanges, ultimately cruising to a comfortable victory.
### First Set: Zverev Takes Control Early
Zverev wasted no time asserting his dominance, breaking Schwaerzler early in the first set and establishing a commanding lead. After holding serve in the first game, the young Austrian had a chance to push for a 2-1 lead but squandered four game points. Zverev capitalized on his opponent’s errors, passing Schwaerzler at the net to secure the break and take a 2-1 lead.
From there, the German never looked back. He held his serve with ease, including two love holds, while continuing to apply pressure on Schwaerzler’s serve. Zverev broke the Austrian again with a stunning forehand down the line, extending his lead to 4-1. Schwaerzler managed to hold serve once more at 5-2, but Zverev sealed the set with a service winner in the eighth game, taking the opener 6-2 in just 31 minutes.
### Second Set: Zverev Maintains Momentum
Zverev carried his momentum into the second set, immediately breaking Schwaerzler’s serve to establish a commanding lead. The Austrian teenager, playing in front of his home crowd, struggled to find answers to Zverev’s relentless attack. A forehand error from Schwaerzler gave Zverev the break, and the German consolidated with a strong hold for a 3-1 lead.
As the match progressed, Zverev’s confidence grew, and he continued to put pressure on his opponent. A backhand winner down the line earned him another break at 4-1, all but ending Schwaerzler’s hopes of mounting a comeback. Although the Austrian saved three match points on his serve in the seventh game, Zverev calmly closed out the match with a forehand winner in the next game, securing a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
### Zverev’s Milestone: 60 Wins in a Season for the Second Time
With this victory, Zverev reached 60 ATP wins in a season for the second time in his career, the first being in 2018. His consistency this year has been remarkable, as he has consistently performed at the highest level across various tournaments, including deep runs in Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events. His impressive win in Vienna not only underscores his current form but also sets him up for a potentially strong run in the tournament.
### Jakub Mensik Upsets Alexei Popyrin to Join Zverev in the Second Round
In another notable first-round match, Czech teenager Jakub Mensik caused a stir by defeating Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 7-6, 6-2 in an hour and 42 minutes. Mensik, who qualified for the main draw, showed remarkable composure, denying all five of Popyrin’s break points. After a closely contested first set, Mensik claimed the tiebreak 7-3 and carried that momentum into the second set, where he secured two early breaks.
Popyrin, ranked higher than Mensik, was unable to recover as the Czech youngster held his nerve to close out the match and advance to the second round. With this win, Mensik earned his 24th ATP victory of the season, moving him closer to breaking into the top 50.
### Matteo Berrettini Advances with a Win Over Marton Fucsovics
Meanwhile, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini also advanced to the second round with a solid 7-5, 6-4 win over Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics. The 2019 Vienna semi-finalist relied on his strong serving, facing no break points and putting pressure on Fucsovics throughout the match. The Italian’s serve proved to be a key factor, as he won 84% of his first-serve points and converted a crucial break in each set.
After a tightly contested first set, Berrettini broke Fucsovics in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead before serving out the set. In the second set, Berrettini capitalized on a break at love to go up 4-3, eventually closing out the match with a confident hold. Berrettini, who has struggled with injuries this season, will be looking to make a deep run in Vienna as he seeks his first final appearance at the tournament.
### Looking Ahead: Zverev’s Path in Vienna
With a commanding first-round victory, Alexander Zverev will look to build on his strong start as he continues his quest for another ATP 500 title in Vienna. The German’s ability to maintain his high level of play, particularly on serve, will be crucial as he moves deeper into the draw. Fans will be eager to see if Zverev can replicate his 2021 success and claim his second Vienna title, adding to what has already been an outstanding season for the world No. 3.
As the tournament progresses, Zverev will likely face tougher competition, but his current form suggests he is well-prepared to handle the challenge. If he continues to serve and return as effectively as he did in the opening round, he will be a formidable opponent for anyone in the draw.