Top-seeded Alexander Zverev eased to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Ernests Gulbis in the second round of the Geneva Open on Tuesday.
The fifth-ranked German, seeking his first title in 2019, saved eight of the nine break points he faced against the 80th-ranked Gulbis.
Former No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov had to come through two rounds of qualifying after all the wild cards were allocated, only to lose his first-round match 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Federico Delbonis.
Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria after losing a set to Federico Delbonis, of Argentina during their first round match at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tournament in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Salvatore Di NolfiKeystone via AP)
Dimitrov's ranking has fallen to No. 47 after a shoulder injury, and he let Delbonis convert all five of his break points.
Damir Dzumhur also came through qualifying and the 57th-ranked Bosnian beat wild-card entry Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-5 in the first round. Dzumhur will play second-seeded Stan Wawrinka on Wednesday.
Sixth-seeded Adrian Mannarino lost 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-2 to Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Alexander Zverev, of Germany returns a ball to Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during their second round match at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tournament in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Salvatore Di NolfiKeystone via AP)
The Geneva tournament and another clay-court event this week in Lyon, France, are the final men's warmups before the French Open begins Sunday.
More AP Tennis: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Ernests Gulbis of Latvia returns a ball to Alexander Zverev of Germany during their second round match at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tournament in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Salvatore Di NolfiKeystone via AP)
Federico Delbonis of Argentina celebrates defeating Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria during their first round match at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tournament in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Salvatore Di NolfiKeystone via AP)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.
Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.
United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.
That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.
“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."
Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.
“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”
With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.
Blowing leads is not a new problem.
United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.
The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.
“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”
First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
