Top seed Alexander Zverev picked up the pace at the US Open on Saturday, virtually sprinting to a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 victory over Alejandro Tabilo to reach the last 16 after labouring through a pair of marathon five-setters. The German had already spent nine hours and 26 minutes on court in his first two matches -- the most time a top seed has needed to reach the third round of a major since 1999.&nbsp;"My coach was actually quite smart -- he explained to me a best of five set match doesn't mean you have to play five sets," quipped the French Open champion, who appeared on a mission to end the trend against Tabilo.&nbsp;Meanwhile the 25th-seeded Chilean was out to avenge a loss to Zverev in the second-round last year on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/naomi-osaka-shocked-us-open-win-mertens-1788679550853">‘I’m Shocked I Won’: Naomi Osaka reflects on US Open thriller against Mertens</a>&nbsp;Zverev didn't face a break point in a brutally efficient first set, winning all 11 points behind his first serve and five of seven on his second serve. He broke Tabilo twice on the way to pocketing the set in 38 minutes, and broke him again on the way to a 4-2 lead in the second.&nbsp;&nbsp;But Tabilo was finding his footing, and the pace slowed as he turned it into a tight back and forth battle. He got his first whiff of a chance when he went up 0-30 on Zverev's serve in the sixth game of the second set.&nbsp;The German quickly snuffed out the danger, but Tabilo pulled a break back in the eighth, winning three straight games to take a 5-4 lead. He had Zverev on the ropes in the 10th game, threatening to break to take the set.&nbsp;Zverev saved a pair of set points then broke Tabilo in the next game, but the Chilean promptly returned the favour to force a tiebreaker that was all Zverev.&nbsp;Undaunted, Tabilo mustered two break points in the opening game of the third set, both denied by Zverev winners.<h2>Big improvement</h2>That was the last chance Tabilo got, Zverev winning the last four games to take the match after two hours and 26 minutes.&nbsp;"I am definitely happy with the improvements," Zverev said. "I spent 10 hours on the court in two matches so I had to find my rhythm somehow, and I did. From back of the court, I was much better.&nbsp;"I was not happy with the second set," he added. "I think especially the end of the second set I lost focus a little bit. I was not moving as well. I was not playing as well. But I think the first and third sets are big improvement to the other days."&nbsp;Zverev still found himself thanking fans who stayed until after 1:00 am. Thanks to a titanic tussle between Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala in the first night match Zverev and Tabilo didn't take to the court until nearly 11:00 pm.&nbsp;Zverev will face Italian Luciano Darderi for a place in the quarter-finals after the 21st seed beat Australian wild card Dane Sweeny 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Alexander Zverev defeated Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets to advance to the US Open fourth round. Read full match reaction after the top seed's Arthur Ashe Stadium victory. 

Top seed Alexander Zverev picked up the pace at the US Open on Saturday, virtually sprinting to a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 victory over Alejandro Tabilo to reach the last 16 after labouring through a pair of marathon five-setters. The German had already spent nine hours and 26 minutes on court in his first two matches -- the most time a top seed has needed to reach the third round of a major since 1999. "My coach was actually quite smart -- he explained to me a best of five set match doesn't mean you have to play five sets," quipped the French Open champion, who appeared on a mission to end the trend against Tabilo. Meanwhile the 25th-seeded Chilean was out to avenge a loss to Zverev in the second-round last year on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Also read| ‘I’m Shocked I Won’: Naomi Osaka reflects on US Open thriller against Mertens Zverev didn't face a break point in a brutally efficient first set, winning all 11 points behind his first serve and five of seven on his second serve. He broke Tabilo twice on the way to pocketing the set in 38 minutes, and broke him again on the way to a 4-2 lead in the second. But Tabilo was finding his footing, and the pace slowed as he turned it into a tight back and forth battle. He got his first whiff of a chance when he went up 0-30 on Zverev's serve in the sixth game of the second set. The German quickly snuffed out the danger, but Tabilo pulled a break back in the eighth, winning three straight games to take a 5-4 lead. He had Zverev on the ropes in the 10th game, threatening to break to take the set. Zverev saved a pair of set points then broke Tabilo in the next game, but the Chilean promptly returned the favour to force a tiebreaker that was all Zverev. Undaunted, Tabilo mustered two break points in the opening game of the third set, both denied by Zverev winners. Big improvement That was the last chance Tabilo got, Zverev winning the last four games to take the match after two hours and 26 minutes. "I am definitely happy with the improvements," Zverev said. "I spent 10 hours on the court in two matches so I had to find my rhythm somehow, and I did. From back of the court, I was much better. "I was not happy with the second set," he added. "I think especially the end of the second set I lost focus a little bit. I was not moving as well. I was not playing as well. But I think the first and third sets are big improvement to the other days." Zverev still found himself thanking fans who stayed until after 1:00 am. Thanks to a titanic tussle between Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala in the first night match Zverev and Tabilo didn't take to the court until nearly 11:00 pm. Zverev will face Italian Luciano Darderi for a place in the quarter-finals after the 21st seed beat Australian wild card Dane Sweeny 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Alexander Zverev defeated Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets to advance to the US Open fourth round. Read full match reaction after the top seed's Arthur Ashe Stadium victory.&nbsp;

Top seed Alexander Zverev beats Tabilo in straight sets to reach US Open fourth round

Germany's world number two&nbsp;Alexander&nbsp;Zverev&nbsp;says he is facing a battle to be fit for the US Open following surgery on torn ankle ligaments at the French Open.

Zverev&nbsp;only returned to the practice court last Sunday after the injury he suffered during his semi-final against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in June.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serena-williams-will-leave-as-greatest-tennis-player-billie-jean-king-hails-american-legend-after-retirement-505480">Serena Williams will leave as greatest tennis player: Billie Jean King hails American legend</a>

He turned on his ankle during that match, screaming in pain when trailing Nadal 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 after three hours of play.

He left the court in a wheelchair, returning shortly after on crutches and in tears to announce his retirement, with Nadal going on to extend his record Grand Slam haul to 22, routing Norway's Casper Ruud in the final.

Speaking in Hamburg at a press conference on Thursday the Tokyo Olympic champion&nbsp;Zverev&nbsp;said: "Obviously I am going to try to make it to the US Open even if it's in a very very short time."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/definitely-changed-the-game-emma-raducanu-comments-on-how-a-dominant-serena-williams-impacted-tennis-505689">'Definitely changed the game'- Emma Raducanu sheds light on Serena Williams' impact on tennis</a>

Last week&nbsp;Zverev&nbsp;revealed that he suffers from type 1 diabetes, admitting he had struggled to accept his condition and had tried to hide it from the world.

The last Grand Slam of the season starts in New York in a little over a fortnight on August 29.

If Flushing Meadows comes too soon&nbsp;Zverev&nbsp;is aiming to return for the September 13-18 Davis Cup group phase&nbsp;against France, Belgium and Australia in his native Hamburg.

Germany's world number two Alexander Zverev says he is facing a battle to be fit for the US Open following surgery on torn ankle ligaments at the French Open. Zverev only returned to the practice court last Sunday after the injury he suffered during his semi-final against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in June.

Germany's world number two Alexander Zverev says he is facing a battle to be fit for the US Open following surgery on torn ankle ligaments at the French Open. Zverev only returned to the practice court last Sunday after the injury he suffered during his semi-final against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in June. ALSO READ: Serena Williams will leave as greatest tennis player: Billie Jean King hails American legend He turned on his ankle during that match, screaming in pain when trailing Nadal 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 after three hours of play. He left the court in a wheelchair, returning shortly after on crutches and in tears to announce his retirement, with Nadal going on to extend his record Grand Slam haul to 22, routing Norway's Casper Ruud in the final. Speaking in Hamburg at a press conference on Thursday the Tokyo Olympic champion Zverev said: "Obviously I am going to try to make it to the US Open even if it's in a very very short time." ALSO READ: 'Definitely changed the game'- Emma Raducanu sheds light on Serena Williams' impact on tennis Last week Zverev revealed that he suffers from type 1 diabetes, admitting he had struggled to accept his condition and had tried to hide it from the world. The last Grand Slam of the season starts in New York in a little over a fortnight on August 29. If Flushing Meadows comes too soon Zverev is aiming to return for the September 13-18 Davis Cup group phase against France, Belgium and Australia in his native Hamburg.

‘I’m going to try’- Alexander Zverev hopes to recover in time to compete at US Open 2022

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Top seed Alexander Zverev beats Tabilo in straight sets to reach US Open fourth round

‘I’m going to try’- Alexander Zverev hopes to recover in time to compete at US Open 2022