Zverev Defeats Blockx in Four Sets at Wimbledon

Alexander Zverev defeated Alexander Blockx 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(5), 7-6(0) in a Wimbledon second-round match. The No. 2 seed hit 21 first serves out of 26 in the opening set, many at 130 mph or faster, and won four of five second-serve points.

Zverev’s first-serve percentage reached 82 percent in the second set. The match stayed on serve until the tie-break, where Zverev committed his first double-fault on Blockx’s set point. In the fourth set Zverev sent down three double-faults in four points, but he won the final tie-break 7-0.

Zverev won the French Open earlier this year on his 41st attempt. Blockx, 21, from Belgium, reached the world’s top 40 for the first time during the clay-court season. Zverev has never advanced past the fourth round at Wimbledon.

Zverev’s next opponent is Valentin Royer. “When I saw the draw, I thought, here we go again, same thing as last year,” Zverev said. He added that he has an allergy to grass that causes sneezing and a stuffed nose but stated he feels fine and is not sick.