Sawt Falasteen - 'Don't want to jinx it' as Zverev barrels into Melbourne quarters

The 2025 runner-up to Jannik Sinner dismantled Argentina's 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

The world number three got the job done with relative ease, having been pushed to four sets in his other matches this year at Melbourne Park.

The German plays three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev or upcoming American Learner Tien in the quarter-finals.

After making light work of Cerundolo, Zverev said he was as happy and healthy as he had been in a long time.

Zverev has often been talked about as a potential Grand Slam winner, but at 28 and after being plagued by injury last year, time is against him.

"Very happy with the match and very happy to be back in the quarter-finals," he said on court afterwards.

Asked if he was playing as well as he ever has, he replied: "I don't want to jinx it so I will keep my mouth shut on that question."

Zverev did say however that he was trying to mix his game up more, including some drop shots.

"Trying to do all the things that the two best players in the world are doing," he said, referring to Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner.

"I thought last year was terrible after Australia," he said. "I wish I could have stayed in Australia for another 12 months.

"I just hope this year is going to be better."

C.Hamad--SF-PST