Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Black series against Medvedev
Zverev is subject to excessive length in crime
Alexander Zverev missed a big win at the ATP Finals: Germany’s best tennis player loses against world number two Daniil Medvedev and now has to tremble to make it to the semifinals. At the end of a great fight, a small mistake makes the difference.
Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has to worry about the semi-finals at the season finale of the eight best tennis players. Two days after his opening success in Turin, the world number three lost to defending champion and US Open winner Daniil Medvedev 3: 6, 7: 6 (7: 3), 6: 7 (6: 8) and thus missed the first chance on getting ahead. Without his new girlfriend Sophia Thomalla in the box, Zverev had a balanced and exciting duel with the Russian top player from the second set, but suffered the fifth defeat against Medvedev in a row.
The 24-year-old fought his way back and improved after initially not appearing as aggressively as the world number two from Moscow and losing the first set. But at the end of a two-and-a-half hour tennis thriller, Medvedev was too strong again. This means that there will be an interesting group showdown at the million-dollar event on Thursday.
Zverev starts weak and comes back strong
The decision will be made when Zverev meets Hubert Hurkacz on the last preliminary round matchday of his group. The only comparison to date with the Polish ninth in the world rankings was decided by Zverev more than two years ago. In Turin, the new venue for the ATP Finals that will be set until 2025, he must finish his red group in first or second place in order to reach the semi-finals. Medvedev already has two victories. Zverev won his opening match against Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini earlier than expected on Sunday because the Italian hopefuls had to give up injured.
On his second appearance, Zverev found it difficult to get into the game. With a double fault, he helped his rival and gave up his first service game. Zverev himself did not use his three break chances at the beginning. It was quickly 0: 3, the efficiency of the opponent with his only break ball was decisive for the first set. In the past few days, the German number one had declared several times that they no longer feel as drained as they did in Paris. In the French capital, Zverev had no chance in the 2: 6, 2: 6 against Medvedev in the semifinals.
Ten days later, the duel between the third in the world ranking list (Zverev) and the second (Medvedev) initially developed in a similar direction. The Tokyo gold medalist had to run a lot, and Medvedev often won the longer rallies. With his head bowed, Zverev crept to the bench when the first sentence was gone after 38 minutes. The top German player was of course aware of the negative streak against Medvedev. Mental strength will be particularly important, brother and manager Mischa Zverev said before the meeting.
At the beginning of the second movement, his younger brother showed emotions for the first time. The five-time tournament winner from 2021 now hit significantly more aces in a match at eye level. Without a break in the second set, the decision was made in the tie-break. Curious: a foot error by the Russian put the German in the lead in the tiebreaker. The previous year’s winner asked for video evidence, but the decision remained. Shortly afterwards, Zverev’s box jumped open when balancing sentences. The 2018 ATP Finals winner encouraged the crowd to cheer him on.
Zverev now seemed more determined and courageous. But in the end it wasn’t quite enough. Zverev hit a comparatively simple backhand into the net and Medvedev used his third match point. Zverev was twice in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in his previous four appearances. In the previous year he was eliminated after the preliminary round.