By Chris Oddo | Monday September 18, 2016

 

Alexander Zverev opened accounts at the St. Petersburg Open with a win over a rising Russian.

Photo Source: Tennis TV

In a battle of 6’6” rising talents, Alexander Zverev used his big-match experience and fitness to edge out Russian wild card Karen Khachanov, 7-6(3), 6-4 at the St. Petersburg Open.

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The No. 5-seeded Zverev was pushed the whole way by an in-form Khachanov, but managed to slip through in a first-set tiebreaker before rallying from 3-0 down in set two to win in straight sets.

Both players had their moments in the match, but it was Zverev who used his superior movement and consistency to keep the pressure on Khachanov.

20-year-old Khachanov, playing at the site of his first career win which came as a 17-year-old over Victor Hanescu, showed a very strong serve and forehand and surprisingly deft movement for his 6’6” frame.

He saved the only break he faced in the first set but failed to protect a 2-0 lead in the tiebreaker when he dropped seven of the final eight points to Zverev.

In the second set Khachanov saved a pair of break points to hold for 1-0 then broke Zverev to lead 2-0. He consolidated and would later stretch his lead to 4-1 before the 19-year-old German took over the match with steady baseline play and better execution under pressure.

World No. 27 Zverev would not face another break point and he claimed the final five games of the match to earn his 34th win of 2016.

Other winners in St. Petersburg were Ricardas Berankis, who defeated Adrian Mannarino, 76(7), 36, 63, and Lukas Rosol, who eased past Diego Schwartzman, 6-4, 6-4.