Former US Open finalist Alexander Zverev boosted his Nitto ATP Finals qualification chances on Thursday, where he overcame German Daniel Altmaier 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in New York.
The German is currently eighth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin (2,760) and knows a deep run at the hard-court major will increase his hopes of qualifying for an event he has won twice (2018, '21).
[ATP APP]
After cruising through his first match in straight sets, Zverev raised his level when needed against Altmaier, striking 48 winners to improve to 41-20 on the season. The 12th seed will next face Grigor Dimitrov after the Bulgarian defeated Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.
Zverev reached the title match in New York in 2020, before he enjoyed a semi-final run in his previous appearance in 2021. He missed last year’s event due to an ankle injury he suffered at Roland Garros in 2022.
The 26-year-old now holds a 7-2 record during the North American hard-court swing, having advanced to the semi-finals in Cincinnati earlier this month.