Washington, D.C.
Alexander Zverev was at the top of his game on a hot humid Saturday afternoon at the Citi Open in Washington. The 21-year old World No.3 needed just under 90 minutes to defeat 19-year old Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-4 to advance to Sunday’s Final. It will be the second straight Finals appearance for Zverev after winning the tournament a year ago.
Zverev showed why he is the top young star on the tour. In his first service game, he needed just 49 seconds to win it at Love. A game later he got his first break of the match after Tsitsipas foot faulted and then double faulted.
Zverev would break again to go up 4-1 with a nifty backhand approach which set up an easy forehand winner. Two big serves gave gave the 6’6 right-hander the set in 34 minutes.
In the second, Tsitispas showed signs of life and got back into the match. The players held serve through each of their first four service games. That led to a highly entertaining ninth game which went back and forth and included the shot of the tournament. Tsitsipas, in similar fashion to what he did in his second round match at Wimbledon this year, appeared out of the point with a Zverev cross court backhand coming his way.
Suddenly, “the Greek Freak” dove to his backhand side, managed to get his racquet on the ball and got just enough to send it over the net. The crowd got on their feet to acknowledge the fantastic shot from the World No. 32. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t able to feed off it. After nine deuces and 15 minutes, Zverev broke Tsitispas on his fourth break chance of the game to give him the edge.
The top seed in Washington then served out the match to capture his ATP Tour leading 40th win of the year and entry into his fifth Final in 2018.
“I tried to rush him a lot from the ground, from the baseline as well,” said Zverev. “I tried to play quick so he was not the one who plays aggressive because I think he is a great player when he is on the front foot and he’s a great player when he steps into the court and he can go to the net and put balls away”
Despite the defeat, it was a good week for Tsitsipas who will move to a career high No.27 in the World when the rankings are released on Monday.
As for Zverev, a win on Sunday would make him the first back-to-back champion in Washington since Juan Martin Del Potro in 2008. When asked what it is like to be the oldest player left in the draw as the other Semi-Final between Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev (both 19) was still to be played….”I think I am the only one left who is allowed to buy a drink in the US.”
@Sportshorn
