Masters Indian Wells – Alexander Zverev rises to top favorite: “Never played so well”

Alexander Zverev tried his hand at understatement after another demonstration of strength. “I feel good and my tennis is pretty okay,” said the top German player after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time with an extremely convincing 6-1, 6-3 win over Frenchman Gael Monfils at the Masters in Indian Wells.

Zverev’s successes have not only been pretty okay since the beginning of the second half of the year at the latest, but simply outstanding: He has only suffered one defeat in the last 21 matches, is in the quarter-finals for the ninth time this year and has the fifth tournament victory firmly in view – with the No competitor can currently keep up with the consistency of the Olympic champion at the highest level.

Recently he has also found his way around the Californian desert. “I’ve always enjoyed it here, but I’ve never played so well,” said the 24-year-old from Hamburg: “Hopefully it will continue like this.”

Due to the surprising end of the US Open winner Daniil Medvedev against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, Zverev rose to the top favorite to win the tournament.

The way to the next title

After Wimbledon, the German number one only lost in the semifinals in New York to world number one Novak Djokovic. Against the 35-year-old Monfils, Zverev underlined his strong form and was already through after 61 minutes.

“Gael is someone I had never beaten before. I knew that I had to play my best tennis,” said Zverev afterwards: “I was definitely not far from it, although I did a few volleys. Apart from that, I have myself felt pretty good. “

Zverev is the only quarter-finalist of the US Open who is still playing for the tournament victory in Indian Wells. He’s now up against Taylor Fritz, who as a Californian has a home game. With the French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, there is only one other top ten player in the running.

(SID)