Alexander Zverev lived up to his favorite role in the final of the Erste Bank Open in the Wiener Stadthalle against US qualifier Frances Tiafoe on Sunday. The world number four and Olympic champion from Germany celebrated a 7: 5 6: 4 success in front of 7,600 spectators after 1:35 hours and celebrated his fifth tournament victory this year.
Zverev is the first German Vienna winner since Tommy Haas 2013 and has already won the 18th title of his career. Only Boris Becker has won more tournaments in the history of German men’s tennis. He remains fourth in the world rankings.
Zverev, who has long been qualified for the ATP finals, can look forward to 500 counters for the ATP ranking and a winner’s check for 275,074 euros. Tiafoe left 300 points and 162,000 euros as a fee. The 23-year-old American will improve from 49th to 41st place. The American had to fight hard in the second round of qualification to prevail against the Austrian Lucas Miedler in three sets.
Zverev better in the crucial moments
The 24-year-old German, who was number two behind Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the town hall, took the lead from Tiafoe in the first set after the break and rebreak in the initial phase. Even after that, the outsider wobbled again and again during the service, but was able to pull the audience on his side with numerous strong blows.
Tiafoe had already caused enthusiasm in the semi-final thriller against the Italian Jannik Sinner with a lot of commitment and his talent as an entertainer. At 5: 4, the German struck again as a setback and won the tournament. In a direct comparison, Zverev was 6: 1 against the American.
“Thank you and see you next year”
“I would like to congratulate Frances, that was a great week and I’m sure there will be more to come,” said a relaxed Zverev in his victory speech, who also thanked his team and his partner Sophia Thomalla. “It was one of the best weeks of the year for me too, and I hope I can come next year as well. Thank you and see you next year. “
“I’m tired,” said Tiafoe in his speech on the pitch after the final. “That was the best week of my career. It’s very emotional for me, the audience has always been behind me. Everyone managed to make me feel at home here. “
ATP 500 tournament in Vienna
(Austria, EUR 1.974 million, hard court / hall)
