Germany’s Alexander Zverev has become the first ATP player born in the 1990s to win an 18th Tour title after beating a spirited Frances Tiafoe in the final of the Vienna Open.
The world No.4 produced a dominant service display to oust the underdog 7-5, 6-4, after an hour and 36 minutes of play. Against Tiafoe, he won 80% of his first service points and produced 19 aces. Making him only the second player this season to win a fifth ATP trophy after Norway’s Casper Ruud. Earlier this year Zverev won titles in Mexico, Madrid, the Tokyo Olympics and Cincinnati.
“It’s great. I didn’t start the week off very well. I didn’t feel like I was playing well but the last few matches were great,” Zverev told TennisTV afterwards.
Clashing against each other on the Tour for the seventh time in their careers, Zverev has only ever lost to his American opponent on one previous occasion. However, this week Tiafoe had been the man to beat after producing three consecutive wins over a top 20 player. Something the qualifier had never done in a tournament until now.
Fittingly the opening set saw both men produce some of their best tennis to the delight of the animated Vienna crowd. Second seed Zverev was the first to draw blood after breaking for a 3-1 lead. Although his advantage was short-lived with a resilient Tiafoe fighting back by winning seven points in a row. Eventually the two would be separated by just a couple points. As Tiafoe served to stay in contention at 5-6, the German worked his way to his first set point but was denied by an ace. However, Zverev prevailed on his second attempt with the help of a shot from his opponent landing out.
Heading into the second frame Tiafoe tried to get into the mind of the multiple Grand Slam finalist by toying with his standing position on the court and joking with the crowd. However, Zverev’s concentration throughout the final remained unbroken. In a match of fine margins the 24-year-old had multiple break point chances during the second frame but was denied by Tiafoe who produced some emphatic tennis. However, like the opener Zverev triumphed at the most critical time. With Tiafoe serving to stay in the final, he stormed to a 40-0 lead with a trio of championship points in his favour. He prevailed on his fist with a clean backhand winner.
“I won the Olympic Games, that’s the biggest thing you can win in sport. I also won two Masters series and two 500 events (in 2021). It’s very tough to beat that but I still have two more tournaments to come and I hope I do well there as well,” said the Vienna champion.
There is a silver lining for Tiafoe who will rise to 41st in the rankings on Monday which will be his highest position since July 2019. Earlier in the tournament he scored his first ever win over a top three player by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas. He also scored wins over Jannik Sinner and Diego Schwartzman.
“Man, I’m tired,” Tiafoe joked during the trophy ceremony. “I just want to thank the crowd. You guys were unbelievable the whole week, you guys have been getting behind me like crazy. This is the best week I’ve had in my career so far.’
“Sascha I’ve known him for so long since I was ten, eleven years old. We are going to know each other for many more years and hopefully battle many times (on the Tour). I think he’s going to be a hall of famer, he’s going to win a ton of Grand Slams and be number one in the world – this guy is special.” He added.
Returning the praise, Zverev also spoke highly of his longtime friend who hadn’t reached a Tour final for more than three years until this week. The German believes Tiafoe has want it takes to reach the top of the men’s game if he ‘keeps his sh*t together.’
“You’ve been improving every single week and you’re gonna climb up the rankings extreme fast I think, if you keep your sht together,” he said to the 23-year-old. “On a serious note, I’ve told you before that you are one of the most talented young guys on the Tour. I don’t only want to see you in the top 30, top 20. I want to see you in the top 10. I want to battle the biggest finals against you. Right now at the stage where tennis is, tennis needs you so from all of us (the sport) keep you sh*t together and we will see you in the top 10 soon hopefully.”
Zverev has now won 52 matches this season which is the second highest on the ATP Tour after Tsitsipas who leads with 55.
