Mischa Zverev is taking inspiration from his younger brother, Alexander, as both have made it to the third round of the Australian Open.
The two have been on very different career paths, but are now finding success alongside each other. While 19-year-old Alexander, nicknamed Sascha, is the youngest player in the Top 50, Mischa, 29, just recently got back there following injury. He defeated John Isner in five sets to win his second-round encounter, following Alexander's five-set win over Robin Haase in the first round.
"Actually, at one point I thought about him winning in five sets yesterday, being two sets to one down [and] a break down in the fourth," Mischa told reporters after upsetting Isner. "I felt like maybe I could do the same today. I looked at my dad. I am like, 'Poor him.' He has to watch five sets of Sascha yesterday; now he's watching five sets of me today. He must be struggling inside.
"But he was very, very positive and pumped. Actually, looking at him, I think like, ‘Today is going to be the day where I'm going to win in five sets, too, because Sascha did it yesterday.’ I have to do the same thing. I'm his older brother."