Olympia 2021: Alexander Zverev is aiming for gold in singles and doubles – so the chances are

In 2016, when the Olympic Games were taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Sascha Zverev made it into an ATP final for the first time in Nice and was among the top 30 of his guild for the first time in the world rankings.

A lot has changed since Rio, because Zverev’s status in the world of men’s tennis has changed enormously. Even if he has so far been denied the big hit of the Grand Slam victory, the 24-year-old already has 15 ATP titles on the account. Including the prestigious ATP finals of 2018.

Zverev has now developed a certain self-image with which he approaches the big tournaments. He counts himself among the title contenders and openly and honestly admits that he wants to win the tournaments.

At the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Zverev has big plans and is aiming for gold. In singles and doubles. “My concern now is that I get gold for Germany,” said the man from Hamburg to “Bild”.

“You really notice that this is something special for everyone. He has to, he needs, he will win a medal,” emphasized Eurosport expert Mischa Zverev.

Effective start to the tournament for Zverev

So far, it has been going like clockwork for the German tennis hope in the heat of the Japanese metropolis, even if it has not yet been against a top player.

First he defeated the Taiwanese Yen-Hsun Lu without any problems in just under an hour with 6: 1, 6: 3. He also left Colombian Daniel Galan only four games in the second round (6: 2, 6: 2) and needed about ten minutes more than in round one. “He played well today, used little energy, is ready for the next match,” analyzed Mischa Zverev.

With the ATP rankings 575 and 113, Lu and Galan were not the most terrifying opponents for the fifth in the world rankings, but Zverev also often showed wobbles in the past in the first rounds against unseeded players.

Therefore, the sovereign victories strengthened the self-confidence of the right-hander. The so far short playing time – especially with the enormous climatic conditions in Japan – benefits Zverev’s fitness level.

In round three, Nikoloz Basilashvili from Georgia, another unset player, against whom Zverev has never lost on hard court, challenges him. Overall, Zverev defeated him twice on hard court and lost in three sets at the home game at Hamburg’s Rothenbaum 2019 on clay. “They have played against each other several times in the past, but those were always difficult matches. Sascha was often able to win them. It will not be easy,” analyzed brother Mischa.

After the cancellations of many top players such as Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem or Roger Federer as well as the early elimination of the seeded players Hubert Hurkacz (Poland), Aslan Karatsev (Russia) and the Italian Lorenzo Sonego, the way to the semifinals seems to have paved Zverev’s way.

Semi-final against the best in the world

In the quarter-finals, Zverev could meet Jeremy Chardy or the British Liam Broady. The number four on the seeding list has not lost against the 34-year-old Frenchman since 2015. There has not yet been a clash with Broady, but the 27-year-old was already challenged for three sets in his first matches and had been on the court for over five hours.

However, Zverev’s victories against Djokovic are a bit ago. He has lost five times against Djokovic since winning in 2018 with a clear record of 2:12 sets. So why should it work at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, of all places?

Djokovic is under enormous pressure due to his goal of creating the Golden Slam. The competition in Tokyo doesn’t really fit into his schedule, as he wants to win the next major title at the US Open in August, and he’s annoyed by the heat in Japan. Before the tournament he praised Zverev: “There are still several top players who will fight for the medals: Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev are among the favorites.”

Even in Zverev’s ATP Finals triumph in 2018, the Serb went into the final as a huge favorite, after all, he competed as Wimbledon and newly crowned US Open winner. Djokovic now has three major titles in his luggage and the burden on his shoulders is considerably higher, after all, he wants to make history.

So Zverev could become his dangerous stumbling block. “I see myself as someone who always has a chance against him,” said the man from Hamburg before the Olympics.

Possible finale: Zverev still has bills open

Should the German turn off the number one seeding list, anything would be possible in the final. There it would go against Daniil Medvedev (2 / Russia) or Stefanos Tsitsipas (3 / Greece) seeded in front of him. He recently conceded three bankruptcies in a row against Medvedev, but overall he has the nose in the direct comparison 5: 4 ahead.

Against the 22-year-old Greek, Zverev recently suffered a bitter five-set defeat in the semi-finals at the French Open, but previously defeated him in the final in Acapulco in two sets. The trend against Medvedev and the negative balance of 2: 6 against Tsitsipas do not look particularly rosy, but the hamburger still has an open plan with both the Greeks and the Russians. Either way, it is not for nothing that people who want to win a tournament have to beat everyone.

Attack with double partner Struff

Unlike in singles, Zverev and partner Struff are not necessarily among the favorites in doubles, as the two tennis aces on the tour are mainly on the singles. Nevertheless, they dream of the first German double medal since 2004. In the quarter-finals, the duo will meet Austin Krajicek and Tennys Sandgren from the USA.

Before that, they switched the favored Poles to 39-year-old doubles specialist Lukasz Kubot (27 doubles titles) 6: 2, 7: 6 (7: 5). the end. At his side was none other than the current number twelve in the world, Hubert Hurkacz.

Also in the round of 16 on Tuesday they defeated the French pairing of Gael Monfils and Jeremy Chardy, who has already won five doubles titles in his career, 6: 4, 7: 5. “In the end, Sascha intervened very well, picked good things up there, that was very important. We won it as a team,” said Struff, praising his partner after the game.

“It was a nice match, they had positive energy, they played great, also in terms of tactics,” said Mischa Zverev after the game.

The quarter-final opponents Krajicek and Sandgren won their round of 16 in the decisive match break against Slovakia around expert Filip Polasek, who was already successful 15 times on the ATP tour in doubles. Nevertheless, despite Krajicek’s three tournament successes in doubles, the Americans are rather a blank slate. “Of course we want to give each other the chance, me in singles and of course also in doubles, to play the biggest medals,” said Zverev.

Zverev and Struff at a disadvantage against well-rehearsed pairings

If the German representatives manage to make it into the round of the last four, it would very likely go against the top seeded pairing from Croatia, if not surprisingly they stumble against the hosts Kei Nishikori and Ben McLachlan (both Japan).

Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic were the absolute dominators of the double scene this year. Together they have won eight titles on the ATP Tour this year alone. They won three Masters events and recently put on the Wimbledon crown. Similar to the singles, for Zverev, the doubles semi-finals would also be about overthrowing the huge favorites.

In a possible final, the British could wait for star player Andy Murray, who wants to grab his fourth Olympic medal, or the three seeded doubles from Colombia. Not only Robert Farah is an accomplished doubles player but also compatriot Juan Sebastian Cabal. For years the Colombians have been a power in doubles. They have won 18 titles together since 2014. The South Americans are not to be underestimated at any tournament.

First of all, it is important for Zverev and Struff to reach the semifinals. Since they don’t play with each other nearly as often as the duos from Croatia or Colombia, it should be very difficult.

Nevertheless: if the two Germans build on their previous achievements, precious metal is possible. Zverev’s brother Mischa is convinced: “I really believe in it, they’ll get a medal.”