“That’s not something you see every day.”
It was with those words that former English tennis player Mark Petchey called the winning moment of Alexander Zverev‘s first-round Australian Open victory.
The German world No.3 eventually completed a 7-6 (7-3), 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) win over tenacious countryman Daniel Altmaier, but he was presumably so engrossed in the clash that he hadn’t realised he was on match point.
AS IT HAPPENED: Tennis great’s emotional tribute to winning Barty
READ MORE: England greats line up to take shots at players over humiliation
READ MORE: Cummins’ classy Khawaja gesture during celebrations
The result was sealed when Altmaier returned a backhand into the net, but Zverev immediately began to reset for another point.
When the 24-year-old did realise he had polished off the match he began jogging toward the net to greet his rival and the umpire.
“Zverev doesn’t even know it’s over,” said former Australian tennis player John Fitzgerald.
“He didn’t realise it was match point!”
Petchey was amused.
“Brilliant stuff,” he laughed.
“That’s not something you see every day.
“I was so rarely at match point (that) I guarantee you I knew it was match point.
“This guy does so much winning he didn’t even realise.”
Zverev will meet Australian John Millman in the second round of the Melbourne Park event.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!