Zverev beats Atmane to reach Cincinnati last 16

Wimbledon finalist Alexander Zverev reached the last 16 of the Cincinnati Open with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6) victory over France’s Terence Atmane on Monday.

The top seed will next face either American Tommy Paul or Paraguay’s Adolfo Vallejo.

Atmane made the much better start, racing into a 3-0 lead before Zverev won his first game and began to find his rhythm.

The Frenchman twice moved back in front at 4-3 and 5-4 after Zverev had levelled, but the German took control in the tie-break to claim the opening set.

Zverev then saved an early break point in the second set and looked more comfortable, but was unable to force a break of his own and had to settle the match in another tie-break.

The 29-year-old had also been made to work in his opening match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Earlier this month, Zverev suffered a surprise second-round defeat to Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor at the Masters 1000 event in Montreal.

Cincinnati is Zverev’s final warm-up tournament before the US Open, the year’s fourth and final Grand Slam, begins in New York on August 30.