Zverev made his debut in the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati
Alexander Zverev made his debut in the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati yesterday. The German ace – who won this tournament in 2021 – defeated Russian ace Karen Khachanov in two sets and qualified for the round of 16, where he will face Spaniard ace Pablo Carreno Busta.
Sascha is playing a great season and not far from Jannik Sinner in the ATP Race, but he has not yet found the high ground in 2024. The German reached the final at the French Open, but was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in five sets. Zverev looked close to victory when he was two sets ahead of him, but the Spaniard didn’t let him out in the next two sets.
Alexander looked in great shape at the Wimbledon Championships, but a knee injury prevented him from playing 100% against Taylor Fritz in the round of 16. The German was one of the main favorites to win a medal at the Paris Olympics – which were played on the same courts as the French Open – but he had to surrender to a great Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals. The Cincinnati tournament will be important for Zverev to get in good shape at the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the season. Sascha reached the final in New York in 2020, while last year he was stopped by Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
Zverev clinches 50th win of 2024
Alexander Zverev is one of the main favourites for victory in Cincinnati, just behind Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and Italian Jannik Sinner. Speaking with the ATP official website after his win over Khachanov, Zverev opened up on the conditions in Cincinnati: “It’s probably one of the fastest court we play this year. Conditions are very, very fast here. I think the ball is going through very, very quickly in the air. It’s sometimes difficult to control the ball… it really takes time to get used to.”
Sascha became the first player to win 50 matches this year. “I have felt well in practise and then it is easier to bring on court. I didn’t feel well in Canada at all, even in the few matches I won. I hope my form is getting better and better and I can play some good tennis. We are very similar players. We are both very tall and good baseline players and when we are both playing it is about form and who is playing better and today I am happy that it was me and I got a good win today” – he said during the press conference.
Sascha wants a Grand Slam title
The German has forgotten his disappointment at the Paris Olympics, where he could have won a medal. Sascha – who won the gold medal in Tokyo three years ago – didn’t have a good time in Paris: “I prefer Tokyo. I prefer winning the gold obviously. No, it’s always special to be part of the Olympics. This year, it was strange because of Roland Garros, a place that we all know extremely well but, at the same time, it was very different.
The Olympic Village wasn’t the greatest, I have to unfortunately admit. I stayed there, the whole German team stayed here. We had to stay there by our federation. Struggled a bit with the food, with the sleeping conditions, no AC as well in the rooms, which was difficult for me. But it was the same for everybody, so no complaining there.
In those regards, Tokyo was a lot better, the organization maybe was a lot better as well but still it was a great experience being with all the athletes there. It was fun to be in the Olympic Village again but winning is always the part that’s the most fun and I didn’t do that this time.”
A few days ago, an important announcement came on the German. For the first time in his career, Zverev will play tournaments on red clay after the Australian Open. Next year – after the first Grand Slam of the season – Sascha will play the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires and the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro before Acapulco and the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami).
In a recent interview, Novak Djokovic said that Zverev would deserve to win a Grand Slam title: “Most of the players don’t achieve [a Grand Slam win] in the course of their careers. I’ve been very blessed to be in that position. I’m very proud of all the achievements, but I do know how difficult it is to climb to the top.
Like Zverev, for example, is a very good example. When you see his results, when you see his game, all he has done so far in the sport, he definitely deserves a Grand Slam title, right? But he was so close against Dominic Thiem in US Open. Played finals this year. He was up against Alcaraz in the finals of Roland-Garros. Many times semis. Just edging closer and closer.”
