Alexander Zverev

[Damian]

Zverev Secures SF Spot In Turin

Spoiler:

German faces Djokovic in the semi-finals
With the pressure on, Alexander Zverev delivered Thursday, cruising past Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals at the Nitto ATP Finals as he moved to 2-1 in Red Group action.

Zverev, who had to beat Hurkacz to qualify following his three-set defeat to Red Group winner Daniil Medvedev, played aggressively and consistently, hitting 22 winners and committing just eight unforced errors to secure victory after 63 minutes.

The German will face World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals on Saturday after the Serbian secured top spot in Green Group with victories over Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev.

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It is the third time Zverev has advanced to the last four at the season finale. The 24-year-old lifted The Brad Drewett Trophy in 2018 in London, before he fell to Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals in 2019.

The World No. 3 is making his fifth appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals and arrived in Turin in strong form. Zverev captured the Tokyo Olympics gold medal and clinched his second ATP Masters 1000 crown of the season in Cincinnati in August. Zverev then triumphed in Vienna in October and has now won 30 of his past 34 matches.

In a fast start, Zverev won 16 of the opening 18 points against Hurkacz as he hit with great depth and accuracy to move 4-0 ahead. The German stepped inside the baseline to dictate on his forehand as he manoeuvred Hurkacz around the court, sealing the first set in 26 minutes.

Hurkacz provided greater resistance at the start of the second set, making 100 per cent of his first serves in his opening two service games. However the World No. 9's resistance was ended in the ninth game of the set when Hurkacz fired a forehand wide to hand Zverev the break. The German then held to claim victory and now leads Hurkacz 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

You May Also Like: Exclusive: Medvedev Dishes On Italian Food, Defending Title In Turin & More
Hurkacz was bidding to become just the second player to qualify for the semi-finals after losing their first two matches. To advance, the Pole had to defeat Zverev and then rely on Medvedev overcoming Italian Jannik Sinner on Thursday evening.

Earlier this season, the 24-year-old captured his maiden Masters 1000 title in Miami and lifted trophies in Delray Beach and Metz.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev- ... 1-thursday

[Damian]

Zverev On Djokovic Semi-final: 'I'm Expecting Another Tough One'

Spoiler:

German and Serbian stars to meet for fifth time in 2021
Alexander Zverev has set his sights on raising his game for a semi-final blockbuster against Novak Djokovic on Saturday at the Nitto ATP Finals.

The German star, who beat Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4 to complete Green Group action with a 2-1 record on Friday, has already played World No. 1 Djokovic four times this season.

“We have played each other in basically every single big hard-court event this year, at the ATP Cup, Australian Open, Olympics and US Open,” said Zverev, who beat Djokovic en route to the Tokyo Olympics gold medal in August. “So it’s only right that we play each other here as well.”

Djokovic won their ATP Cup clash 6-7(3), 6-2, 7-5 in February and 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(6) in the Australian Open quarter-finals. Zverev won their Tokyo semi-final 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, before Djokovic beat the 24-year-old once again, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, in the US Open semi-finals.

You May Also Like: Zverev Secures SF Spot In Turin
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Zverev, ahead of their 11th ATP Head2Head meeting. “It’s always interesting and close when we play each other, so I’m expecting another tough one… There will be a lot of long rallies, we will run a lot more and suffer, in a way, a lot more as well.

“I think every single match we have played has been close. We’ve needed to be at our best and one or two points decided the matches. I expect no different here as well.”

The World No. 3 knows that Djokovic has a strong following in Italy, but Zverev has also enjoyed his time in Turin. “I love Italy a lot and I think the fans can relate to me as well,” said Zverev, who won the 2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia crown in Rome. “The food is great… I feel that the Italian fans are louder, they are electric and into the sport.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/zverev- ... 1-thursday

[Art]

[DUN I LOVE]

Po ubiegłorocznym blamażu wraca Sasza do półfinałów ATP Finals. Może nawiązanie do 2018?

[Damian]

[Kamileki]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Zverev Downs Djokovic, Reaches Turin Final

Spoiler:

German lifted the title in 2018
Alexander Zverev stood up and delivered Saturday in front of a lively crowd at the Nitto ATP Finals as he produced a high-quality performance, edging Novak Djokovic 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 to set up a final showdown with Daniil Medvedev in Turin.

The German, who beat Djokovic in the 2018 season finale championship match, played bravely and hit with great depth in the crucial moments against the Serbian. Zverev saved a set point in the first set and closed the net effectively throughout to advance after two hours and 29 minutes in an entertaining match.

The 24-year-old engaged with the fans inside the Pala Alpitour and hit 35 winners to reduce his ATP Head2Head series deficit to 4-7 against the World No. 1.

“Every time we play it takes hours,” Zverev said in his on-court interview. “I have not spent more time on court with anybody other than him this year. I am happy with the win and happy to be in the final here and to give myself the best chance for tomorrow.”

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With his victory, Zverev avenged his US Open semi-final defeat to Djokovic. It is the second time the 18-time tour-level titlist has beaten the top seed this year, after upsetting him en route to clinching the Tokyo Olympic singles gold medal.

Zverev, who went 2-1 in Red Group action to qualify for the last four, will face Medvedev in the final on Sunday after the Russian cruised past Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-2. Medvedev leads Zverev 6-5 in their ATP Head2Head series, having defeated the 24-year-old in a third-set tie-break in the round-robin stage earlier this week.

Zverev will now try to do what he did in 2018 when he won the title by reversing a round-robin loss to the player he's meeting in the championship match.

“I lost 8/6 in the third in the group stage, so I am just looking forward to the match as I think it will be a great one,” Zverev said. “There is only the best here, so it takes a lot to win this tournament.”

The World No. 3 has now earned 58 tour-level wins this season. The German triumphed at ATP Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Cincinnati, while he also lifted trophies in Acapulco and Vienna.

You May Also Like: Medvedev Marches Into Turin Final
Both players were strong on serve in a tight first set, which roared into life near its conclusion. Firstly, Zverev saved a set point at 4-5, 30/40 with a huge first serve, which he greeted with a roar, before Djokovic fended off two break points in the following game. The Serb saved the second one by serving and volleying as he found great depth with his half-volley backhand to hold. In a tense tie-break, Zverev then increased his focus and power to move ahead.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Djokovic winning 80 per cent of his first-serve points, while Zverev claimed 81 per cent of points behind his first delivery. In the ninth game of the set, Djokovic stepped up on return, breaking when Zverev could only hit a forehand into the net following a deep backhand from the World No. 1. Djokovic then converted his fifth set point on serve to force a decider.


However, Zverev regained his momentum in the third set as he kept Djokovic at bay with his heavy-hitting. The Serb won just 41 per cent of second serve points in the match compared to Zverev, who won 63 per cent. After breaking to move 3-1 ahead, Zverev was clinical on serve, fending off one break point at 4-2, before sealing his victory with one of the 14 aces he hit in the match.

Djokovic was aiming to draw level with Roger Federer and capture his record-equalling sixth Nitto ATP Finals title in Turin. The 34-year-old, who last triumphed at the season finale in 2015, arrived in Turin in form after lifting his 37th Masters 1000 trophy in Paris earlier this month.

The World No. 1 did not drop a set in the round-robin stage, but was unable to find his top level in the semi-final as he came up against an inspired Zverev on Saturday.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovi ... 1-saturday

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Zverev Reigns Supreme In Turin

Spoiler:

German has earned 59 tour-level wins this season
Alexander Zverev captured his second Nitto ATP Finals title Sunday, overcoming World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4 to end his standout 2021 season in style in Turin.

The German defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals and backed that up against Medvedev in an impressive performance. Zverev imposed his powerful game on the Russian as he stepped inside the court to outmanoeuvre the 25-year-old, who sat deep behind the baseline, to secure victory after 75 minutes.

With his victory, Zverev has become just the fourth player in the tournament’s history to earn semi-final and final wins over the Top 2 players in the FedEx ATP Rankings. The World No. 3 fired seven aces, hit 22 winners and did not face a break point in his statement win over the Russian.

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The 24-year-old, who fell to Medvedev in the round-robin stage, has repeated what he achieved in London in 2018 when he won the title by reversing a round-robin loss to the player he faced in the championship match. The third seed beat Djokovic to clinch his first season finale trophy three years ago.

Zverev has now earned a tour-leading 59 victories this season and has snapped a five-match losing streak against Medvedev, levelling their ATP Head2Head series at 6-6. The 25-year-old defeated Zverev at the ATP Cup and Rolex Paris Masters in 2021.

Earlier this year, the World No. 3 captured two ATP Masters 1000 crowns in Madrid and Cincinnati and won the Tokyo Olympic singles gold medal. The 19-time tour-level champion also triumphed in Acapulco and Vienna and has won 32 of his past 36 matches since Wimbledon.

You May Also Like: Herbert/Mahut Claim Second Nitto ATP Finals Crown
Zverev made a strong start against Medvedev as he dominated the longer rallies, striking his powerful groundstrokes down the middle of the court to reduce the angles available for the Russian to hit. The 24-year-old broke in the third game and was consistent and accurate on serve throughout the first set, hitting his spots as he won 89 per cent (16/18) of points behind his first delivery to move ahead.


Fuelled by momentum and backed by the vocal crowd inside the Pala Alpitour, the German broke again immediately at the start of the second set. Zverev combined his powerful serving with big ball striking as he continued to raise his level under pressure, showcasing his determination and quality to secure the biggest title of his season.

Medvedev had won his past nine matches at the Nitto ATP Finals, having beaten Dominic Thiem in the final last year to lift The Brad Drewett Trophy, after going 0-3 on debut in 2019.

This year, the 25-year-old captured his maiden major title at the US Open when he downed Djokovic to end the Serbian’s Grand Slam bid and lifted his fourth Masters 1000 trophy in Toronto, holding a 58-13 record on the season.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/medvede ... 021-sunday

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Zverev Is Flying As High As Ever; Is World No. 1 Next?

Spoiler:

German finishes 2021 with Nitto ATP Finals title
Alexander Zverev finished his 2021 season in the best way possible Sunday evening when he claimed his second Nitto ATP Finals trophy, signalling what could be an even bigger 2022 for the German star.

The 24-year-old is flying high after defeating Daniil Medvedev in the Turin final. Zverev could now be poised to chase Novak Djokovic’s No. 1 spot in the FedEx ATP Rankings alongside Medvedev next year.

“[Things] couldn't be much better, to be honest. I'm obviously happy with how the season went. I'm happy with the finish of the season,” Zverev said. “It was obviously a great year. To capture the title here has been incredible. Give me the trophy!”

Djokovic on Monday will have a lead of nearly 3,000 points over Medvedev and nearly 4,000 points over Zverev. But with three major titles to defend in 2022 and two rising stars in top form, the Serbian will have his hands full next year.

Since the start of the Tokyo Olympics, Zverev has played the best tennis of his career, winning 32 of his 36 matches to close his season. He earned the singles gold medal in Tokyo, his fifth ATP Masters 1000 crown in Cincinnati and his second Nitto ATP Finals trophy. Of his four losses during that stretch, three have come against Djokovic (1) and Medvedev (2).

The past two days have shown that when the German is firing, there are no holes in his game. Zverev outplayed Djokovic from the baseline in Saturday’s semi-finals and out served Medvedev in Sunday’s championship clash.

The bugaboos that have caught up to Zverev in the past seem just that — a thing of the past. Over the past few years, double faults have often crept into the right-hander’s game in abundance during pressure moments.

But at this year’s Nitto ATP Finals, he played fearless tennis and won 61 per cent of his second-serve points against the best players in the world. Entering the week, he had only won 50 per cent of points behind his second delivery on the year. Zverev knew he had to play aggressively and when he did, the results showed there is little anyone could do about it.

“You go into the match knowing that you're playing one of the two best players in the world. I knew that I had to play my best tennis to beat him,” Zverev said after defeating Medvedev. “I did that today. I think I played a very good match. I'm happy with my level. I'm happy with the performance I had.”

Zverev lost a match in Turin this week, but that was in a final-set tie-break against Medvedev, who pushed Djokovic for year-end No. 1 this year before the 34-year-old clinched a record seventh year-end No. 1 finish during the Rolex Paris Masters.

But there is reason to believe next year could be an even tighter race for top spot. Medvedev lifted his first major trophy at the US Open, defeating Djokovic in the final, and Zverev has also proven fit for the biggest matches.

In the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics, he halted Djokovic’s dreams of a Golden Slam. In Turin, he faced the daunting task of playing Djokovic and Medvedev in back-to-back matches, and he passed the test with flying colours to become the fourth player in tournament history to earn semi-final and final wins over the world’s top two players. He is the first to do so since 1990.

Sunday’s victory also gave Zverev the most titles of anyone this year with six, and his 59 tour-level victories are currently best on Tour. The only thing the German has not accomplished is major glory, and the 2020 US Open finalist has his sights set on changing that next year.

“I have succeeded on every single level, and there's one thing missing,” Zverev said. “I hope I can do that next year.”

Only time will tell if Zverev or Medvedev can hunt down Djokovic for World No. 1. But their chances are looking better than ever.

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[Damian]

After 5 Straight Losses, Zverev Brings New Playbook To Battle Medvedev

Spoiler:

German determined to hit more forehands
You can’t run through a brick wall. But you can walk around it with great success.

Alexander Zverev hit only 47 per cent forehand groundstrokes against Daniil Medvedev in their round-robin match at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin last week. Medvedev squeaked that one out 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(6).

Zverev updated his game plan to hit 57 per cent forehands in Sunday’s final against Medvedev, defeating the Russian 6-4, 6-4 to win his second crown at the season finale. The change of strategy was a “win-win” for Zverev, as he got to hit his more potent forehand weapon more often and he forced Medvedev to rely a lot less on his proverbial brick-wall backhand.

Zverev’s forehand started on shaky ground, missing four times in the opening game of the match with two forehand groundstroke errors and two forehand return errors. He actually missed five of the first six forehands he hit to start the match. But it was Medvedev’s forehand that would miss the mark four times in the second and third games of the match, as Zverev broke early for a 2-1 lead, and he never looked back. Not overplaying Medvedev’s rock-solid backhand was a key to the stunning victory.

Total Forehands / Backhands

Round-Robin Match
Zverev = 47% forehands (201 forehands / 227 backhands)
Medvedev = 56% forehands (240 forehands / 186 backhands)

Final
Zverev = 57% forehands (94 forehands / 70 backhands)
Medvedev = 68% forehands (118 forehands / 56 backhands)

Zverev hit more backhands than forehands (53% backhands / 47% forehands) in their round robin match, but that flipped in the final, with the German dominating with 57 per cent forehands. That had a follow-on effect with Medvedev hitting 68 per cent forehands in the final - up from 56 per cent in their round-robin match.

Zverev was skillfully doing all he could to avoid, or walk around, the Medvedev backhand that has traditionally given him so many problems. Medvedev had won the past five matches against Zverev, with the Russian getting the better of the backhand-to-backhand exchanges.

Medvedev was broken early in both sets in Sunday’s final, dropping serve at 1-1 in the opening set and in the very first game of the second set. In the opening set, Medvedev started his service game with two forehand errors to drop into a 0-30 hole. He was broken three points later. With Medvedev serving at 0-0, 30-40 in the first game of second set, he missed a forehand wide to gift the break to the German.

The biggest shot from the back of the court in the final was Zverev’s forehand, which averaged 76 mph to Medvedev’s 73 mph. Both backhands were slower, averaging in the 60 mph range.

In their robin-robin match, Zverev only directed 42 per cent of his shots wide to the Deuce court to Medvedev’s forehand. That total rose to 52 per cent in the final, as Zverev far preferred to trade blows with forehands rather than trying his luck against Medvedev’s impenetrable backhand.

After a shaky start with his forehand, Zverev settled down to collect seven forehand winners while committing 14 forehand rally errors. Medvedev’s numbers were similar (eight winners / 15 errors), as the Russian tried to “red-line” with his forehand in the second set to get back in the match.

Zverev relies heavily on a strong backhand cross court as the foundation of his baseline game. But five straight losses to Medvedev meant that something strategically had to change. Zverev had to ask himself the age-old question in our sport: Is it more important to hit the ball where you want to hit it, or more important to hit it where your opponent does not want it?

Zverev’s successful adjustment to not keep banging his head against the brick wall shows he finally figured that one out.

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