Alexander Zverev is keen to continue his dream run in the 2024 season! He has already grabbed a title this year and has reached one final, three SFs, and two QFs. However, in his previous match at the Halle Open, he witnessed a bit of a hiccup in his 6(5)-7, 6-3, 6-4 win over his compatriot Oscar Otte. The world number four will now face the Italian tennis star Lorenzo Sonego in the R16. Can the Italian come up with a strong challenge against the in-from Zverev?

Sonego has had a comparatively disappointing season so far. However, he still managed to reach one QF and SF in his previous tournaments this year. Taking the half chances from the get-go in this match and then converting it into winners will be the key to success for the 29-year-old Italian.

Alexander Zverev vs Lorenzo Sonego: Preview

Alexander Zverev came back from a set down to defeat Oscar Otte in his previous match. The German fired a staggering 28 aces and committed just 2 double faults. He won 79% of his first serve and 59% of his second serve. However, Zverev could only convert two of seven breakpoints against Otte and did not get his serve broken even once.

His numbers this season have been quite impressive so far! Alexander Zverev has hit a total of 369 aces and committed just 82 double faults this year. He has won 88% of his service games and 22% of his return games.

Lorenzo Sonego, on the other hand, is entering this enticing contest after a hard-fought victory against Serbian tennis player Miomir Kecmanovic. He defeated Kecmanovic by 7-6(6) ,7-6(5) in the R32 clash. In that match, Sonego hit 5 aces and committed just 2 double faults. His first serve win percentage was 85%, while on the second serve, it was just around 62%. However, the Italian failed to convert two of his breakpoint chances but did not get broken either.

Sonego has hit 162 aces so far this season and has committed 47 double faults. He has won 81% of his service games and just 12% of his return games. The Italian tennis star surely needs to improve his return numbers a bit to stand a chance against the German superstar. Who is currently leading their H2H scoreline, though?

Zverev vs Sonego: Head-to-Head

Alexander Zverev currently leads the H2H scoreline with a 3-0 margin. They had first met each other in Monte Carlo in 2021, where Zverev defeated Lorenzo Sonego by 6-3, 6-3. Then again, almost two years later, the German secured a two-set victory over the Italians in Dubai. However, in their recent faceoff at the 2024 United Cup, Alexander Zverev took three sets to defeat Sonego.

He defeated Lorenzo Sonego by 6(5)-7, 6-3,6-4 in that match. Both Zverev and Sonego hit seven aces in that match, but Sonego committed two double faults as opposed to one from the German. Zverev won 81% of his first serve and 74% of his second serve, while it was 71% and 49% respectively for the Italian. Lorenzo Sonego converted nine of his eleven breakpoints, but Sascha didn’t get a chance to convert any breakpoints.

Prediction: Zverev to win in straight sets

Alexander Zverev looks unstoppable right now. He has made quite a few deep runs in his previous tournaments this year, and his expectations are the same. His current win-loss record is 35-11, compared to just 9-17 of Sonego’s. Moreover, Alexander Zverev has reached the finals in Halle twice, but Lorenzo Sonego has failed to progress further than the second round in the Halle Open.

Zverev is an aggressive baseliner who prefers standing far behind the baseline and aims to hit powerful groundstrokes either for winners or to wear down his opponents. The German tennis star can generate a lot of power with his backhand and forehand. In fact, his backhand is regarded as one of the best in business!

On the other hand, Lorenzo Sonego has an aggressive style of play, which includes powerful serves and equally venomous forehands. He tends to hit his groundstrokes flatter and deeper than the typical tennis players, which fares well for grass.  But is it enough to topple the world number 4? A big no!