ATP Finals – Alexander Zverev blows Rafael Nadal away to claim first win against world No 1

Updated 11/11/2019 at 21:58 GMT

Defending champion Alexander Zverev secured his first-ever victory over Rafael Nadal in style when blowing the world No 1 away at the ATP Finals.

Rafael Nadal of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany embrace at the net after their singles match during Day Two of the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena on November 11, 2019

Image credit: Getty Images

Zverev had a 0-5 record going into their showdown in London, but prevailed 6-2 6-4 in 84 minutes to win his Group Andre Agassi opener on Monday night.

There were concerns surrounding Nadal’s fitness as the Spaniard headed to the season-ending tournament at the O2 Arena.

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And the 33-year-old – who has withdrawn from the Finals six times throughout his career – did little to allay those fears after coming up second-best.

Zverev converted both of his break-point opportunities without offering Nadal a way back to take the first set 6-2 after 35 minutes.

The German then broke again at the start of the second set, and that proved to be enough as the 22-year-old got his defence off to the perfect start. Nadal, meanwhile, did not bring up a single break point.

Zverev's win comes after Stefanos Tsitsipas saw off fellow ATP Finals debutant Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.

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