Medvedev and Zverev impress

WIMBLEDON: Big-hitters Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev booked their places in the third round at Wimbledon in comprehensive style.

Second seed Medvedev, who has never been past round three, raced through with a straight-sets victory over Carlos Alcaraz.

Spanish wild card Alcaraz, a rising star who has climbed from 492 in the world to 75 in the space of 18 months, was broken in the first game but hit back for 5-4, only to surrender his serve once again.

Russian Medvedev then sped away from the 18-year-old to complete a routine 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory.

The match lasted just over an hour and a half, and Medvedev said: “The faster you go on grass, the better.

“But Carlos is an amazing player. I was surprised in the first set because I know grass is not really his surface.

“In the second and third sets maybe the gap was greater - but I’m sure he’s going to be in the top 10 soon, maybe higher.”

Fourth seed Zverev made light work of Tennys Sandgren – who struggled to prevent tennis balls slipping from his pockets.

During a light-hearted encounter on Court Two a ball fell loose twice, costing him a point the second time.

German Zverev, who won 7-5 6-2 6-3 to secure a meeting with Taylor Fritz, said: “It’s an unfortunate way to lose points. The second time I stopped, the ball was right at his feet.”

Queen’s Club winner Matteo Berrettini, seeded seventh, continues to impress on the grass, the Italian beating Dutch lucky loser Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3 6-4 7-6 (4).

French 13th seed Gael Monfils lost in four sets to Pedro Martinez of Spain.

Nick Kyrgios roared into round three with a 7-6 (7) 6-4 6-4 victory over Italian Gianluca Mager.