by The top seed Alexander Zverev switched to survival mode to win a 500th ATP game victory from Meilenstein on Thursday and to defeat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2 at the Toronto Masters.
Germany’s Zverev broke out twice in the crucial third set to reach the fourth round of the US Open TuneUp and converted his second game to support his defeat against the Italian Ealier this year in Acapulco.
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“It is a great performance,” said Zverev, winner of 24 ATP titles, over 500 careeremi wins. “Not many players reach this milestone.
“But I still want 500 more – maybe more,” he joked. “You always want to win as many games as possible. I’m all about it.”
Zverev was unable to win the upper hand in an 82-minute first set and said his game improved when the minutes of Canadian semi-finalist Arnaldi went around 2024.
“I started playing better from the baseline and found my rhythm a little. My backhand felt, but I was comfortable and satisfied with my level,” added Zverev, who next to Francisco Cerundolo-a 6-3, 6-4 winner about the Argentine colleague Tomas Echeverry.
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Alex Michelsen reached a fourth round of Masters 1000 for the first time with a 3-6, 7: 6 (7/4), 6-4 angry victory over Lorenzo Musetti with the third seed.
The 20-year-old American survived almost 50 casual mistakes and only converted two of nine break chances, but it was enough to defeat Italy’s Musetti, a double Grand Slam semi-finalist in 10th place in the world.
“It feels really good,” said the 26th Michelsen after finally converting his seventh game.
“I did a lot of hard work and it pays a little. I wondered when it would happen and I think it is starting.
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“I returned very well today,” he added. “I played offensive tennis and carried out very well.”
Michelson will compete with the American learning Tien against a place in the quarter -finals. Tien Beat Compatriot Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.
Holger Rune with the fifth seed drove with an efficient 6: 2, 6: 4 result about the Frenchman Alexandre Müller.
– Ruud Rallyes –
Casper Ruud with the eighth seed shook a slow start to defeat Portugal’s Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-4.
The Norwegian only played his fourth game since Roland Garros Wimbledon had missed because of an injury.
Ruud was 4: 1 in the first set with 4: 1 and thwarted the two chances of Borges for a 5-1 lead.
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“I just crawled into the first set,” said Ruud, who fired nine aces. “I was able to get involved again. A break and things can happen. I increased my second leg and brought more balls back into play.
“In the second set I got the break and served myself.”
Despite his dragging start, Ruud was pleased to beat Borges after he had fallen to him in Roland Garros in May.
“It was nice to get my revenge,” said Ruud, who next to Karen Khachanov opposite the 11th time.
Khachanov, the 11th US qualification game Emilio Nava 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-1 defeated to book his second round of Masters of 16 spots this season.
Ruud and Khachanov most recently played in a 2022 US open final that the Norwegian won.
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