US Open
“Big Champion”? Zverev before a lot of work in New York
Is in the third round at the US Open: Alexander Zverev. photo
© Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/ AP/dpa
In the third round of the US Open, Alexander Zverev meets a favorite opponent. Before possible duels with the big ones, the Olympic champion still has to improve.
“To be honest, I’m in my comeback year. I’m number 12 in the world, not number three,” said the 26-year-old when asked if he was particularly excited that the public focus in New York on the two superstars of the scene and not on himself. “Next year is a more reasonable time to talk about it.”
Zverev already wants to prove at this edition of the last Grand Slam tournament of the year that he is again among the absolute best in the world. In four sets against Davis Cup buddy Daniel Altmaier, however, he has not yet shown title form. Before thinking about a possible round of 16 against the in-form Italian Jannik Sinner or a quarter-final duel with defending champion Alcaraz, a favorite opponent is now waiting for the Hamburg player on Saturday (local time).
Favorite opponent is waiting
Zverev won the last five encounters with Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrow, this year there were two easy victories at the French Open and the US Open dress rehearsal in Cincinnati. “He’s an incredible player,” the 32-year-old praised his German opponent. “We’ve played a few matches – and yes, the last few times he’s been better than me.”
But Zverev warned of Dimitrow’s strong second-round performance against a great champion of the past from Great Britain. “If he beats (Andy) Murray straight in three sets, he’ll play well, right?” said the 2020 finalist. “I think every tournament is different. I expect something very different here.” With a win, Zverev would prevent the round of 16 in New York from taking place completely without a German professional in men’s or women’s singles for the first time since 2009.
At Grand Slam tournaments, he shares a fate with his next opponent. Even if Dimitrow was in a semifinal three times, the former world number three in the era of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer never managed the big coup. In the list of world-class players like Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, David Nalbandian and Robin Söderling, who didn’t succeed, Zverev didn’t forget himself either: “I didn’t win a slam either.”
Optimistic Altmaier
His teammate Altmaier believes that Zverev can still achieve this triumph even after his serious ankle injury last year – and names the decisive prerequisite for this. “A lot of the players in the tournament have the quality,” said the 24-year-old. “The thing is if you can bring that to the pitch when it comes down to it.”
At least against Altmaier, Zverev was there in the crucial phases. However, the serve let him down for a long time, and the former world number two made an amazing 52 unforced errors. In the analysis of this fickle performance, Zverev became a tennis philosopher: “Winning when you play well is easy. Winning when you don’t play well is more difficult,” said Zverev. “I think great champions always do that.” He still has to earn this title in Grand Slam tournaments.