ATP Cincinnati: Curse averted and ambition assumed, Zverev has perhaps never been so expected

When the cat’s away the mice will play. The adage fits well with what Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev experience on this North American tour of preparation for the US Open. In the absence of the undisputed and indisputable circuit boss Novak Djokovic, as well as his worn-out “Big 3” cronies, the Russian and the Greek have already seized the opportunity to shine in Canada since the former went to seek the title and the runner-up impressed until his narrowly lost semi-final against Reilly Opelka. And in Cincinnati, the German joined them, ready in turn to carve out the lion’s share.

Because if he skipped the Masters 1000 in Toronto, the great Sascha had a good reason: he gave himself a few extra days of rest after going to seek gold at the Tokyo Games. A success all the more important for the 24-year-old as he conquered it with the manner by putting an end to the series of 21 consecutive victories of the world number 1 in the semi-finals. Its recovery in Ohio was therefore eagerly awaited. Was he going to stay on his golden momentum in a tournament that hadn’t been successful at all for him so far?

In six previous attempts, incongruous as it may sound, Alexander Zverev had never won a game (in the big picture) in Cincinnati. But this week, he ended that vicious cycle. “I’m happy with the way I’m playing now and getting my first win in seven years here. It’s obviously a great start to the week for me,” said the person after beating Lloyd Harris (7- 6, 6-2) when he entered the running on Wednesday. An inaugural success followed by another, just as convincing in the round of 16 against Guido Pella (6-2, 6-3).

By adding his title in Tokyo, the German is now 8 matches won consecutively, a series in which he lost only one set against… Djokovic. If a few years ago, this new status of Olympic champion would perhaps have weighed on him, his experience (despite his young age) allows him to gain a certain confidence from it. “That’s great. When I got on the court and they introduced me as the Olympic champion, it gave me goosebumps. It even made me nervous at first I have to say, because it’s a special feeling“, he still confided.

A (mini) crossing of the salutary desert in 2019

Very powerful and solid from the baseline, Zverev bases some of his current success on his position on the court. He sticks much more to his baseline than he did two years ago, when he went through a phase of doubt and stagnation in his tennis. At the time, he had suffered many scathing comments, even some definitive opinions on his tennis limits. It must be said that he had previously (badly) accustomed the circuit and the observers to a linear progression and a lightning ascent: at just 20 years old, he already had 6 titles including two Masters 1000 conquered in Rome and Montreal (in 2017). and had emerged a few weeks in the place of world number 3.

Its slump in 2019 allowed other members of the famous “Next Gen” to take the light in its place, foremost among them Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Zverev took the opportunity to rebuild himself in the shadows for a season and a half to clearly return to the game. Like the Russian (US Open 2019, Australian Open 2021) and the Greek (Roland Garros 2021), he tasted to a Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows last year, passing moreover closer to the consecration against Dominic Thiem, than his two accomplices beaten each time on their side by Djokovic.

From Flushing’s frustration to Olympic gold, confidence again at its peak

His failure of nothing in New York last year even solidified his ambition. Zverev himself confessed months later, he had nightmares about this missed opportunity and has since had one obsession: to give himself the means to conquer the Grail in Major. Despite everything, many observers, including among his fellow players, rather see Medvedev or even Tsitsipas taking this step before him. Because the world number 5 drags like a ball a greater inconstancy, especially on the mental level.

But his very recent Olympic coronation may have changed his dimension, including on this aspect. After his remarkable performance against Djokovic, the native of Hamburg fully assumed his status as favorite by defeating Karen Khachanov in the final in Tokyo. This additional confidence, which could well make the difference in the weeks to come, is particularly evident in service. If his first ball still does as much damage, his arm hardly trembles on second: he has recently limited his quota of double faults (one against Harris, three against Pella).

As his return to Flushing Meadows draws near, Zverev appears to have the keys to taking a resounding revenge on his fate. Still need to be confirmed on this weekend in Cincinnati, first against Casper Ruud in quarterback. “I’m still a little on my cloud (after his gold medal, editor’s note). But I’m extremely hungry, I’m not satisfied yet“, he had also warned before the tournament. A possible victory over one of his acolytes Tsitsipas and Medvedev (or both) and a new Masters 1000 trophy would allow him to tackle his great challenge under ideal conditions Perhaps before crossing the path of the “Djoker” in search of a calendar Grand Slam in New York.