Canadian Open top seeds Alexander Zverev for the ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto, and Coco Gauff for the WTA 1000 event in Montreal, managed to survive the pressure of their opening rounds in Canada.
Zverev, coming off a shock first-round loss at Wimbledon, had to overcome a 52-shot rally to defeat Adam Walton 7-6(6), 6-4. The German seized the momentum after a long rally at 5/5 and found his rhythm to advance.
"It was a very important moment, a very important point for me. I was lucky to get through the first set and finish it in two sets," Zverev said, as reported by the ATP.
Zverev was broken as he served for the match at 5-3, but quickly recovered to close out the one-hour, 42-minute match in the next game.
"Sometimes, winning is everything, even if you don't always play your best," Zverev said.
"I know it wasn't the most beautiful match, of course, but I haven't competed in four weeks. I took some time off, which I needed for myself."
"I'm happy to be playing again. Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope I can play better tomorrow," said the 28-year-old.
The seven-time ATP Masters 1000 champion, including a victory in Canada in 2017, will continue his quest to add to his winning tally against 32nd seed Matteo Arnaldi, who defeated Tristan Schoolkate of Australia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Zverev leads Arnaldi 1-0 in their head-to-head , with their only meeting coming in Acapulco this year.
