World No. 2 Alexander Zverev continues to showcase his dominance at the 2025 Australian Open, securing a straight-sets victory over British hopeful Jacob Fearnley in the third round. The 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 triumph, completed in just over two hours, propels Zverev into the fourth round of a Major for the 21st time in his career.
Zverev’s clinical performance
Zverev has been untouchable in Melbourne this week, advancing through the draw without losing a single set. Against Fearnley, the German’s consistency and power were on full display as he controlled the match with 25 winners to just 15 unforced errors, while maintaining an impressive 72% first-serve accuracy.
Fearnley, ranked well outside the top tier, put up a spirited fight but struggled to match Zverev’s precision and intensity. The Brit managed to convert only two of six break points and committed costly errors at critical moments.
Set-by-set breakdown
First set: Zverev establishes dominance
Zverev’s serve was untouchable in the opening set, dropping just two points across his service games. After holding his first two service games with ease, the German broke Fearnley at love in the sixth game with a punishing forehand. A commanding hold at 5-3 sealed the set in just 30 minutes.
Second set: A tighter contest
The second set offered a brief window of opportunity for Fearnley. Zverev faced two break points in the second game but saved them with powerful serving. The German seized the momentum in the seventh game with a decisive break, only to see Fearnley level the set at 4-4 after a bold forehand winner. However, Fearnley faltered with a double fault and a volley error in the ninth game, gifting Zverev the crucial break. The German served out the set at love with an ace, moving ahead 6-3, 6-4.
Third set: Zverev withstands a fightback
The third set saw Fearnley briefly challenge the World No. 2, breaking back immediately after losing his serve in the third game. However, Zverev quickly regained control, breaking Fearnley in the fifth game with a sharp volley winner. Despite facing four break points in the seventh game, Fearnley held firm but couldn’t threaten Zverev’s lead. Serving at 5-4, Zverev sealed the victory with back-to-back service winners, ensuring his place in the last 16.
On the title track
Zverev’s ability to dominate in both the shorter rallies and longer exchanges highlighted his superior form. Winning 59 of the shortest rallies up to four shots, the German consistently outmaneuvered Fearnley with his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.
The victory adds to Zverev’s impressive streak in Melbourne, solidifying his reputation as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders. The 2024 semifinalist will now look ahead to his fourth-round match, eager to maintain his unblemished run.
