Zverev Launches Treble Hunt in Turin with Dominant Win
Well, well, well! Gather ‘round sports enthusiasts because Alexander Zverev has just kicked off his quest for a third Nitto ATP Finals trophy with all the subtlety of a fireworks factory on New Year’s Eve! The German tennis sensation tackled Andrey Rublev like a pro, coming out on top with a convincing 6-4, 6-4 victory in just 72 minutes. You could say he really put the “Z” in zesty tennis.
As he strutted into the John Newcombe group stage, Zverev upped his record to 6-1 in opening round-robin matches at these Finals, and let’s face it, they didn’t call him the second seed for nothing! A proud moment, as he racked up his 67th victory of 2024. I mean, if you’re keeping score, Zverev might as well be the top scorer looking for an add-on trophy, maybe “Mr. Consistent” or “The Family-Sized Trophy Hoarder.”
Reflecting on the match, a pleased Zverev exclaimed, “I thought it was a very solid match from me!” Solid? More like granite! He acknowledged that Rublev set a blistering pace at the start but quickly learned that this match wasn’t just about hitting the ball; it was about who could keep it together mentally—or as I like to call it, “not losing your marbles on the court.” Honestly, it’s as if he took a page from the “How to Be a Tennis Ninja” handbook—staying stealthy until he pounced for that crucial break in the seventh game.
Now, speaking of history, Zverev’s earlier accomplishments are nothing short of legendary. He was the first player on this planet—or any other, really—to defeat the holy trio of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer at the Nitto ATP Finals back in 2019. And let’s take a moment to appreciate the fact that this year marks the first time since 2001 that those icons have *not* graced the season finale. Can you believe it? It’s like an Avengers movie without Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor! What will they think of next? A superhero with moderate powers?
But Zverev, being the good sport that he is, acknowledged the bright, shiny stars of the future—Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. “They deserve it, they have won two Grand Slam tournaments each,” he said. Ah, the humility of a top player! Nothing like handing out compliments like candy on Halloween. And let’s be honest, while Zverev might be number two in the world, if you’re not on the Alcaraz-Sinner hype train, are you even on a train? Or just wandering aimlessly like I do after I’ve had one too many cocktails?
Looking forwards, Zverev will be aiming for a hat-trick of triumphs as he braces for a face-off against Casper Ruud, who, spoiler alert, has already toppled world number three Carlos Alcaraz! I mean, the suspense is building like a pressure cooker full of hot sausages at a BBQ. Will Zverev continue his dominant streak? Will Ruud prove that he’s not just a pretty face with a good serve? This tournament is sure delivering the drama faster than a soap opera!
So, dear readers, grab your popcorn, keep your both eyes on the prize, and prepare for another exciting chapter in this year’s Nitto ATP Finals. Zverev’s on fire, and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you don’t want to miss it!
Match report
Zverev Launches Treble Hunt in Turin with Dominant Win
The German achieves his 67th victory of the year, positioning himself as the leader of the Tour in 2024
November 11, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Alexander Zverev kicks off his quest for a third coveted Nitto ATP Finals title with a commanding performance on Monday night.
In his opening match of the season finale held in Turin, the second seed delivered a decisive 6-4, 6-4 victory against Andrey Rublev. Zverev, a two-time champion having won in 2018 and 2021, showcased resilience against Rublev’s aggressive start and secured a swift triumph in just 72 minutes.
“I thought it was a very solid match from me,” remarked Zverev, now boasting a 15-9 record at the Nitto ATP Finals. “Against anyone here, you have to play your best to have a chance. You need to be solid and mentally strong. I feel that I performed well today, capitalizing on my opportunities effectively, and I’m certainly pleased with the win.”
Zverev made history in 2019 by becoming the first player to defeat tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer at the Nitto ATP Finals. This year’s edition is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first occasion since 2001 that none of these titans are competing in the prestigious season finale.
Discussing the shift in focus towards newer talents, Zverev commented, “I think the spotlight has been on Carlos [Alcaraz] and Jannik [Sinner] all year. They truly deserve it, having each clinched two Grand Slam titles this season.”
“It’s a natural progression in sports when veterans retire and fresh faces emerge. We have a formidable group of players, led by Jannik and Carlos. They excelled this year, despite my current standing as number 2 in the world. The benchmark is undoubtedly these two young stars.”
Now standing at 7-3 in the Lexus ATP Head2Head Series against Rublev, Zverev is set to continue his quest for a hat-trick title against Casper Ruud, who earlier achieved a stunning victory over third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the John Newcombe bracket.
Rublev, renowned for being the most formidable server in the Nitto ATP Finals field, initially got off to a blazing start inside the Inalpi Arena. The 27-year-old impressively won his first 13 points on serve, according to Infosys ATP Stats. However, a critical break in the seventh game allowed Zverev to seize the first significant advantage in the match.
Demonstrating patience, Zverev capitalized during the second set’s ninth game, reinforcing his impressive record in opening round-robin matches at this prestigious event, now improved to 6-1.
**Interview with Alexander Zverev after his Dominant Win in Turin**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Alexander! Congratulations on your victory against Andrey Rublev. It was an impressive match! How are you feeling after that performance?
**Zverev:** Thank you! I feel great. I thought it was a very solid match from me. I manage to stay calm and focused, which is crucial, especially in such a high-stakes tournament.
**Interviewer:** You managed to keep your composure, especially after Rublev started strong. What was your strategy going into the match?
**Zverev:** Honestly, it was about staying mentally strong. I knew Andrey would come out firing, so it was essential for me to absorb that pressure and wait for the right moment to capitalize. I think breaking him in the seventh game was a turning point for me.
**Interviewer:** This year marks the first time since 2001 that tennis legends Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer aren’t participating in the ATP Finals. How does that change the dynamics for players like yourself?
**Zverev:** It definitely creates a different atmosphere. Those guys are icons, and their presence raises the bar for everyone. But we have new stars like Carlos and Jannik stepping up, and they’ve proven they belong at this level. It’s exciting for the future of tennis.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of future stars, you had some nice words for Alcaraz and Sinner after your match. How do you see their impact on the game’s landscape?
**Zverev:** They’ve both shown tremendous talent and resilience, winning multiple Grand Slams already. It’s a privilege to compete against them. They bring a new energy to the tour, and it will be interesting to see how our rivalries develop over the coming years.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, you’re gearing up to face Casper Ruud next. He’s already made waves by beating Alcaraz. What are your thoughts on that upcoming match?
**Zverev:** Casper is a great player, and he’s been in fantastic form lately. I’ll have to be at my best to compete against him. It’s exciting—this tournament is heating up, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
**Interviewer:** Any last thoughts you want to share with your fans as you pursue your third ATP Finals title?
**Zverev:** Just a huge thank you for their support. It means the world to me. I’ll be giving it my all out there, so stay tuned!
**Interviewer:** Fantastic! Best of luck, Alexander, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!
**Zverev:** Thanks! I appreciate it!