Celebrated his fifth success of the season in Vienna: Alexander Zverev. © ANSA / CHRISTIAN BRUNA
Olympic champion Alexander Zverev secured his fifth title of the season on Sunday after an exciting duel with Frances Tiafoe. As in the semifinals against Jannik Sinner, the US-American tried to throw his opponent off his feet with little games.
October 31, 2021
Author: nie / apa
The name Frances Tiafoe should have been a household name in the entire tennis world since yesterday evening at the latest. In his surprising victory over Jannik Sinner, the American made headlines not only because of his performance. Throughout the match he tried to distract Sinner and disturb his focus. The South Tyrolean didn’t like this tactic at all. It was therefore not surprising that Tiafoe would also bet on his games in the final against Alexander Zverev. But the Olympic champion was not deterred and converted his first match point at the final in Vienna (7: 5, 6: 4).
“That’s great, especially since I didn’t start the week so well,” said Zverev. The 24-year-old from Hamburg needed 95 minutes for his 18th final triumph on the ATP tour. With that, Zverev drew level with the former Wimbledon winner Michael Stich. Only Boris Becker has won more tournaments in the history of German men’s tennis.
Zverev sets the tone – Tiafoe keeps up
Zverev got off to a good start, put Tiafoe under pressure and got the early break to 3-1. But the 23-year-old outsider countered courageously, taking the serve from the German. Tiafoe delighted the audience with his emotional and sometimes spectacular game. At Zverev, on the other hand, looseness and dominance were initially gone.
But the world number four kept his nerve. Above all, he could rely on his serve strength. Zverev could not yet use a first set ball, then he benefited from a mistake made by number 49 in the world rankings. In the second round, Tiafoe’s strength slackened a little. Tiafoe worked for the joy of the more than 8000 spectators, both players offered a partly top-class show.
Visibly had fun in the final: Frances Tiafoe. © ANSA / CHRISTIAN BRUNA
“After the Corona period, I just enjoy playing in a full stadium again, something that I missed a lot. I need the energy and am also impulsive on the pitch, ”said Zverev about the atmosphere in the town hall. In the end, the man from Hamburg resolutely used his advantage in strength and class for his sixth success in the seventh comparison with Tiafoe.
Zverev collected a check for 275,000 euros. He has already equalized his best record of five tournament victories from 2017. In this form he will be one of the favorites again in Paris for the next few days. “There are now two more tournaments, I want to do well,” said Zverev.
