Alexander Zverev in awkward interview with Laura Robson as star told 'get away from me'

pundit was not best pleased at being approached by a sweaty on Monday, jokingly telling the ATP Finals star "get away from me".

Zverev was interviewed by Robson shortly after dispatching Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-4 in his opening match. And the pair served up a strange combination of post-match flirtation and awkwardness in Turin.

Robson began: "You just told me that you weren't even sweating out there." Both laughing, Zverev responded: "Let's be clear: I gave you a handshake, you complained about the handshake saying it was too formal, then I tried to give you two kisses on the cheek and you said, 'No, you're too sweaty, get away from me'. Then I said you complain about too many things."

Zverev stumbled through a rundown of his win over Rublev, before interrupting himself to say: "You make me nervous during this interview so I can't really... I start mumbling and I don't know what to say anymore."

Robson said: "If you're nervous we can stop there." And Zverev rounded off the surreal interaction with: "This is the most awkward interview I've had this year, for sure!"

The German is fancied to go far in Turin, having arrived at the tournament straight off the back of a superb victory at the Paris Masters. With the Rublev win already under his belt, Zverev must now gear up for his two remaining group matches against Casper Ruud and .

The 27-year-old hopes to ramp up his performances as the tournament, which offers a £3.8million top prize, goes on. "I'm looking forward to the next few matches and hopefully I can improve on a few things," he told .

"I don't think this match was perfect, to be honest. I think there are still a few things that I can do better. I missed too many balls from the baseline. My movement was not as sharp as I would like it to be, as it was in Paris.

"Even Jannik [Sinner] will tell you that he still wants to improve this year and he has been nearly perfect. You always have to find ways to improve. My last few matches in Paris were better than here but it is only my first match, so we will see where it goes."