Alexander Zverev of Germany defeated Karen Khachanov of Russia 6-3, 6-2 in the men's singles second-round match at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday. It was also Zverez's 50th tour-level win of the season.

Despite a 10-minute rain delay, it took the 27-year-old German no more than 78 minutes to finish the contest. He led 16-9 in winners over Khachanov.

"I felt well on the court. I have felt well in practice and then it is easier to bring on court," Zverev said. "I didn't feel well in Canada at all, even in the few matches I won. I hope my form is getting better and better and I can play some good tennis. We are very similar players. We are both very tall and good baseline players and when we are both playing it is about form and who is playing better and today I am happy that it was me and I got a good win today."

It was the fifth time for Zverev to secure at least 50 tour-level wins in one season in 2024 after doing so in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. He lifted up the championship trophy at the Cincinnati Open in 2021 after beating Andrey Rublev of Russia 6-2, 6-3 in the final.

"It has been a good year but I have had some very tough losses that I have had to take," Zverev said. "It is about learning and improving and hopefully I can get back to a Grand Slam final and hopefully win it."

Rublev knocked out Zhang Zhizhen of China 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday. He blew a total of 23 winners with only five unforced errors in the 61-minute match.