Olympic champion Alexander Zverev made it to the quarter-finals of the BMW Open in Munich after defeating Jurij Rodionov and defying two lengthy interruptions caused by rain.
Zverev prevailed 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 on Wednesday. Players had to leave the court for an initial two-hour break and then again for around one hour as even hail fell from the sky.
In the quarter-finals, the German will face either 2019 champion Christian Garin or Alex Michelsen of the United States. The match was postponed to Thursday due to the rain.
Zverev won in Munich in 2017 and 2018 but suffered early exits over the past years.
British number two Jack Draper also advanced after he made the most of a rain delay and defeated wild card Rudolf Molleker a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
“I think Rudy played an amazing level in the first set. The conditions were very rainy and very slow. In the second and third, the sun comes out and I start feeling better. I’m really proud of the way I played,” Draper said.
In the quarter-finals, he will take on either third seed Taylor Fritz or Spanish qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas.
