Andy Murray may be in the toughest quarter of the Australian Open draw, but his fourth-round opponent constitutes a considerable surprise. Mischa Zverev, who will face Murray on Saturday, is making his first-ever appearance in the last 16 of a slam at 29 years old.
(1) Andy Murray vs. Mischa Zverev
Murray and Zverev will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers at the ATP level and for the fourth time overall when they battle for a place in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Sunday. All three of their previous meetings have gone the way of Murray, who most recently got the job done 6-2, 6-2 on the clay courts of Munich in 2015.
Looking for his first Aussie Open title and fourth career slam triumph, Murray has advanced so far with straight-set victories over Illya Marchenko, Andrey Rublev, and Sam Querrey. The Scot has won eight of his last 11 tournaments dating back to last summer and is coming off a runner-up performance in Doha, where he fell to Novak Djokovic in three sets.
A fourth-round performance at a major is, of course, already a smashing success for Zverev. In fact, it marks the 29-year-old German’s first such appearance. Finally armed with a clean bill of health, Zverev qualified left and right for ATP tournaments last season and he looks even better in 2017. He punched his ticket to the last 16 in Melbourne by taking out Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, John Isner (came back from two sets down and saved two match points), and Malek Jaziri.
“He played well (at the) end of last year,” Murray said of Zverev. “Obviously (he) has had a good run here. His match against Isner was really tight. I saw a little bit of that one the other day. But, yeah, he’s doing well. He’s been unlucky with injuries, as well; he’s had a number of injuries. (We) grew up in juniors together. We’re the same age. I know him fairly well.
He plays a very different game style to most of the guys now. He’s serve-volleying, coming forward as much as possible…not with the most powerful game. He doesn’t serve [big] but places it well. People say you can’t play that way any more and be successful, but he’s done that the last few months.”
What you really can’t do is have success against Murray as a serve-and-volleyer. Although the world No. 1 can beat just about anyone from the baseline, too, there is nothing he loves more than having a net-charging opponent who gives him a target. No matter how well Zverev serves in this one, passing shots will be whizzing past him on a consistent basis. This as been a great run for Zverev and he won’t go away without a fight, but Murray should roll.
Pick: Murray in 3 losing 12 games or fewer
[polldaddy poll=9642443]
who ya got?
Murray in 4
Zverez competes week enough to take a set.
“well enough”
Murray in three losing 12 games or fewer
ditto
Great article. Your site is beautiful. Could you check out http://www.courtsidewatch.com? It’s a new site that’s trying to grow. Thanks.
Mischa is in the 3rd round!!!!!!
Both Rafa and Muzz got a Zverev in R3. Hope both make it to the final. But Fedal is probably more magical and less stressful for Rafa fans!
oops, Muzz meets Zverev in R4 not R3. So older Z is doing better than younger Z. For some reason, I keep thinking Rafa and Muzz are in the same half.
Andy in 3 or 4[more likely 3]…As great as Mischa was this week,i don’t think he has the tool to hurt Andy…Andy is sooooo AMAZING especially on the defense..Only Nole can challenge him on that department..
Mischa takes the first set 7:5.
I don’t know what is going on with Murray here. He let that first set slip away from him.
Now he’s up a break. Zverev has played well, but Murray seems to be a bit off.
I can’t get what’s going on. Murray had break advantage in the first set and second set… everything was on its way for an easy way. But somehow his advantages were vanished..
It’s incredible considering how easy some points look for Murray.. those passing shots without risk.
But again, somehow this is 75 56.. with Zverev now serving for tie break.
NNY, give Zverev some credit. Murray did not LET the first set SLIP away. Zverev WON it.
I’ll explain it to you. Mischa Zverez has really improved since his brother came on tour. Mischa has beaten Wawrinka, Kyrgios and Isner. Anyone that beats Isner in a major can compete with Murray. Mischa’s game is quite deceptive, he doesnt give much pace to work with and takes the initiative.
To the untrained eye this may look like Murray is playing bad but its not necessarily the case, Zverez is playing better than people realise.
Yes. Zverev’s game is unsettling. Murray isn’t liking the lack of pace plus Zverev’s hands at the net and his touch is great. He’s got some of the best volleys out there. This match is similar to last year’s Simon vs Djokovic match. But Zverev is still more aggressive than Simon and Murray isn’t playing as badly as Djoker did that match. It’s still surprising how Andy has lost so many opportunities but credit to Zverev for playing some great tennis.
Zverev’s net game is downright awesome. He could really pull this off.
Definitely, potential upset on the cards.
Wow. You guys are right, Benny and Mark.
Yes, I appreciate Mischa’s skills. But I didn’t expect this: Andy having no answer and in danger of going out. Mental strength runs in that Zverev family. I’m in admiration. Golly. Spectacular.
Tsonga lost the first set to Evans? ? gulp
Stan apparently is refusing to lose to Seppi — just barely.
What next? Oh, yeah, I know…Federer over Kei. icing on the cake…
Better make some coffee.
Zverev was doubled by Federer at Wimbledon and double breadsticked by Nadal in Brisbane a fortnight ago.
Zverev was doubled bageled by Federer at Wimbledon and double breadsticked by Nadal in Brisbane a fortnight ago.
you mean Halle? 2013.
Zverev just needs one more break.
Evans takes the first set TB against Tsonga.
Zverev is getting this crap done. He’s too locked in and Murray isn’t calming down. If Zverev pulls this off, it’s the first time the top two seeds are out before the QF since 2004 french open.
Holy crap that smash miss was atrocious. But he’s still gonna hold. Come on Zverev!! He gets the hold!! YESS!! One more game Mischa!!
Looks like Andy will be going out, feeling a bit glum now 🙁
Hi RC ….
Hi Ali…sorry about your father-in-law. Hope he’ll be okay ?