Miami: Alexander Zverev rallied from a one set deficit to defeat Spain’s David Ferrer 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the third round of the Miami Open as he moved a step closer to a breakthrough title this year.
The 20-year-old German has yet to recapture the form that earned him five singles titles, including two Masters events, in 2017 but he has displayed guile in prevailing in a pair of three-set matches in Miami.
Zverev, ranked fifth in the world, recovered from a rusty opening set to break Ferrer’s service three times in the second set and twice more in the decisive stanza.
He will next face Australian Nick Kyrgios, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Fabio Fognini.
“I knew it was going to be tough. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and he’s very unpredictable,” Kyrgios said.
“We both competed. I just played a little better in some bigger points.” In earlier action, Fernando Verdasco dug deep to earn a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 win over Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis to set up a fourth-round clash against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.
