Alexander Zverev, having finally shed his “best man to never win a slam” tag, walked a little taller as he stepped onto Centre Court after Iga Swiatek’s victory. The German, seeded second this year due to Carlos Alcaraz’s injury-enforced absence, took on young Belgian Alexander Blockx. The match began with two routine holds, making it 1-1 in the first set.
Zverev Dominates from the Baseline
Zverev quickly found his rhythm, breaking Blockx’s serve twice to take the first set 6-1. The German’s powerful groundstrokes and precise serving proved too much for the 19-year-old qualifier, who struggled to cope with the pace and depth of Zverev’s shots.
Second Set Proves More Competitive
Blockx showed signs of improvement in the second set, holding his serve more consistently and forcing Zverev to work harder for points. However, a single break of serve was enough for Zverev to clinch the set 6-4. The German’s experience and composure under pressure were evident as he saved two break points in the set.
Zverev Closes Out the Match
The third set saw Zverev raise his level once again, breaking Blockx twice to seal a 6-2 victory. The match lasted just under two hours, with Zverev hitting 10 aces and winning 82% of points on his first serve. According to tournament statistics, Zverev committed only 12 unforced errors compared to Blockx’s 28.
Looking Ahead
Zverev’s victory sets up a second-round clash with either Marcos Giron or a qualifier. The German, now a Grand Slam champion after winning the French Open earlier this year, will be aiming to add a Wimbledon title to his collection. “I’m feeling confident and playing well,” Zverev said after the match. “It’s great to be back on Centre Court and I’m looking forward to the next round.”
