Alexander Zverev defeated Luciano Darderi in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3), to reach the US Open quarterfinals on Monday. With this victory, the German is the only man to reach the last eight at all four Slams this year. This is the first time Zverev has accomplished this feat in his career.

The Italian had stunned Zverev when he saved four match points against the No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings in Rome earlier this year. However, the German ensured no such hiccups happen in New York.

Zverev was happy with the level he brought to the court against the Italian.

“I thought my level was very consistent,” Zverev said in his on-court interview. “He started playing incredibly well in the third set. I barely saw anyone hit the ball as hard as he did, consistently for an entire set, so credit to him. He made it very difficult for me, but I’m happy to be in the quarter-finals and happy to be playing this way.”

Zverev came up with a splendid performance, landing 72 per cent of his first serves and winning 86 per cent of points (51/59).

The German had to battle for five sets in the first two matches of the tournament, and since then he has surely lifted his level on the court.

“Compared to the first two matches, the level has been going up and, of course, that’s the goal and I’m happy about that,” said Zverev.

The German is into the last eight at the New York hard-court major for the fifth time, becoming the sixth active men’s player to reach that mark, joining Novak Djokovic (14), Stan Wawrinka (6), Marin Cilic (5), Daniil Medvedev (5) and Carlos Alcaraz (5).

Zverev next meets Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarterfinal clash.