Fifth seed Alexander Zverev was taken to four sets by American teenager Brandon Nakashima before securing a hard-fought US Open second-round win.

The German, one of those tipped to challenge for the title in New York with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer not playing, won 7-5 6-7 (8-10) 6-3 6-1.

But Zverev downplayed the absence of the two greats as he seeks his first Grand Slam title.

“Obviously, it will have a little bit of an effect,” the 23-year-old said.

“But this year’s US Open is different in many ways – we don’t have spectators.

“Obviously, it’s not the same, but at some point those two will retire as well. And we will play every tournament without them.”

Zverev, whose serve was unbroken in the match, hit 24 aces past 19-year-old Nakashima and will face French 32nd seed Adrian Mannarino next.

Belgian seventh seed David Goffin also reached the third round, beating South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-1 6-4, and will play Serb 26th seed Filip Krajinovic.

Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece will face Croatia’s Borna Coric in the next round, after defeating American Maxime Cressy 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 6-4.

source: BBC sports/tennis