Alexander Zverev defeats Martin Blockx to reach second round

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French Open winner beats Belgian 6-4, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 Zverev manages grass allergy with ‘pills and sneezing’ Alexander Zverev’s serve is at once among the most potent and also the most perplexing weapons in tennis. When it is working as it should, which is about 98% of the time, the German feels all but unbreakable. And in whatever time is left, it can all fall apart. Zverev, who was the No 3 seed last year, managed to succumb to Arthur Rinderknech in the first round, in a match that stretched to two days, despite hitting 76% of his first serves – the best strike-rate in the tournament – and winning all but three of 28 service games. “Dominant but defeated,” as Wimbledon’s statbot put it. Continue reading...