US Open tennis Round 1 results: Alexander Zverev cheating accusation of Stefanos Tsitsipas

Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has levelled a stunning allegation of cheating against a leading rival as Ash Barty cruised into the second round and the US Open started to heat up.

Alexander Zverev of Germany speaks to the media during a press conference after being defeated in the match against Milos Raonic of Canada on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Monday, January 21, 2019. (AAP Image/Hamish Blair) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The lengthy toilet breaks of world No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas continue to be the talk of the US Open, with Olympic champion Alexander Zverev making a stunning cheating accusation following his own first round win.

Zverev, who cruised into the second round following a straight-sets win over American Sam Querrey, weighed into the debate around Tsitsipas’ timely toilet break during his victory over Andy Murray on Monday.

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Alexander Zverev has weighed in on the growing debate around Stefanos Tsitsipas’ lengthy toilet breaks. Picture: AAP

Murray fumed about the delay, saying it threw his rhythm and contributed to a five-set defeat, but Zverev went a step further to say the Greek star had form in this area - indicating there was communication between Tsitsipas and his coach and father Apostolos.

“It’s not normal. It’s happening every match. It happened to me in the French Open, to Novak at the finals (of) the French Open,” Zverev said.

“You know, I think in Hamburg against (Filip) Krajinovic he was complaining, against me in Cincinnati was ridiculous, and now here again. I think players are catching up on that.”

When asked if he thought Tsitsipas had taken his phone with him during a similarly lengthy bathroom break during a recent match between the pair in Cincinnati, Zverev was blunt.

“His dad is texting on the phone. He comes out, and all of a sudden his tactic completely changed,” he said.

“It’s not just me, but everybody saw it. The whole game plan changes.

“I’m like, either it’s a very magical place he goes to or there is communication there. But I also don’t want to disrespect him. He is a great player.”

There was no love lost between Stefanos Tsitsipas (L) and Britain's Andy Murray. Picture: AFP

Zverev, meanwhile, stretched his win streak to 12 matches on Tuesday at the US Open and warned he’s aiming to deny top-ranked Novak Djokovic the calendar-year Grand Slam.

Fourth-seeded Zverev, coming off Japan gold and a title two weeks ago at Cincinnati, dispatched American Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in a first-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I hope in two weeks’ time I’ll be on an 18-match winning streak,” said Zverev, who would claim his first grand slam title if he creates such a run.

The 24-year-old German, who lost to Austrian Dominic Thiem in last year’s US Open final, hit 18 aces and 40 winners while never facing a break point in advancing after an hour and 40 minutes.

“It’s great to be back,” Zverev said.

“Hopefully I’ll play a few more matches here and it will be even more entertaining.” Djokovic, seeking a US Open title to complete the first men’s singles Slam since Rod Laver in 1969, opens later against Danish teen qualifier Holger Rume in the night feature at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alexander Zverev is in red-hot form.

The 34-year-old Serbian also seeks his 21st career grand slam title, which would break his tie for the all-time record with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent due to injuries, as is Thiem.

“Novak is chasing history,” Zverev said. “But the young guys are going to try and get in the way of that. I’m going to try to give him a challenge as well.” Zverev, who next faces Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas, is a potential semi-final foe for Djokovic and beat him in an Olympic semi-final, rallying from a set and a break down.

“I was also the only person to beat him at a very big event this year,” Zverev said. “Everything else he has won. He’s the favourite. No question about that.

Alexander Zverev cruised past American Sam Querrey.

“I hope I can keep the level up and maybe even play better because to beat Novak here is going to be an extremely difficult task.” Djokovic is unbeaten in 15 US Open first-round matches entering his encounter with 145th-ranked Rune, who has a 13-match win streak in US Open qualifying and Challenger events.

But the 18-year-old is a big underdog to history-chasing Djokovic, who has won eight of the past 12 grand slam events.

BARTY SURGES INTO SECOND ROUND

World number one Ash Barty, coming off wins at Wimbledon and Cincinnati, began her chase for back-to-back Slam titles by defeating Russian Vera Zvonareva, the 2010 US Open runner-up, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7) in 88 minutes.

The 25-year-old Australian next faces Denmark’s Clara Tauson as she goes for her sixth title of the year.

“It has certainly been really enjoyable right from the start,” Barty said.

Czech fourth seed Karolina Pliskova, the runner-up to Barty at Wimbledon and the 2016 US Open runner-up, defeating 130th-ranked US teen wildcard Catherine McNally 6-3, 6-4.

Ash Barty impressed in her Round 1 win over Vera Zvonareva.

“I started really well, lost my focus a little bit at the end of the first set,” Pliskova said.

“My serve was not really there today. It would be better if I could serve better.”

Japan’s Kei Nishikori, the 2014 US Open runner-up, eliminated Italy’s 113th-ranked Salvatore Caruso 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.

Next up for the 56th-ranked Asian star is 61st-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald — who ousted Belgian 27th seed David Goffin 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 — with Djokovic a possible third-round opponent.

“I had a great start,” Nishikori said.

“He really pushed me back and he was playing better. Good to fight through something like this.” Nishikori lost to McDonald in a Washington semi-final four weeks ago. “I hope I can do revenge,” Nishikori said.

Ash Barty after her first-round win.

Originally published as US Open tennis Round 1 results: Alexander Zverev cheating accusation of Stefanos Tsitsipas