Alexander Zverev, number 6 in the ATP Ranking, has made a convincing start to the Mutua Madrid Open. The German earned his ticket to the third round after a comfortable win over Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-2, in a match that lasted little over an hour.

This will be the fourth time the German has progressed past the second round of the Madrid tournament. Zverev has already tasted glory in the Caja Mágica, he was crowned champion in 2018 and he has never bowed out before the quarters. “Here and Rome are probably the two clay tournaments where I feel most comfortable. Obviously the altitude helps me with my serve, but I’ve had a lot of success here before”.

Zverev has shown why he is one of the favourites to take the Madrid title, but his journey at the Mutua Madrid Open has only just begun. In the third round he will meet Englishman Daniel Evans, who beat Millman in three sets (6-7, 6-2, 6-3).