Top Seed Zverev Stunned In Delayed Fourth-Round Match At Miami Open
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Alexander Zverev had more time to prepare for his fourth-round match at the 2025 Miami Open, but he couldn't translate it into a win, losing to an inspired Arthur Fils.
These two players were supposed to play the last match of Tuesday's schedule on the Centre Court in Miami. However, after rain postponed all of the matches by a few hours, the tournament organizers assumed that there likely wouldn't be enough time for this match to be played.
The schedule of play was revised, and the only singles match that disappeared from it was the one between Zverev and Fils. That wasn't that big of an issue for either of the players, as the winner of this match would be scheduled to play against Jakub Mensik on Thursday, meaning they would have enough rest in between the matches.
With an extra day of rest, the players opened the men's singles action on Wednesday. As the top seed, Zverev was the favorite to win, even despite his recent shaky form. However, the two met four times before, and almost every time, it was an incredibly close fight.
That was the case also this time, but the top-seeded German likely hoped it wouldn't be, as he started the match better. Both players easily held their serve, but after the balls changed at 4-3, Fils couldn't use the newer, faster balls to his advantage on his serve.
On the contrary, the Frenchman was broken, falling behind 3-5. But Fils kept fighting, creating two break point chances when Zverev tried to serve out the set, but it wasn't enough, so the top seed won it 6-3.
But Fils couldn't have started the second set better. He won 12 of the first 14 points, completely dominating his opponent. That gave him a comfortable 3-0 lead, which he came close to increasing when he led 30-15 on Zverev's serve in the following game.
Ultimately, that was the closest that any of the players got to having break points in the remainder of the second set, as both controlled their serves and Fils served out the set, winning it 6-3.
That meant that for the fourth time in their five meetings, the third set had to decide. Zverev started better, breaking to lead 3-1, but he wasn't able to confirm the one-break advantage with a hold.
After being broken, Fils significantly improved his level, while Zverev got back to his defensive style, which almost never generates any good results for him. The German not only lost his one-break advantage, but he was broken one more time, falling behind 3-4.
Fils then continued serving at a very high level, and he was ultimately able to eliminate the top seed, winning the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. It was another disappointing loss for the German player.
