Alexander Zverev will start the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Miami as number four. Which has at least one advantage.
by Jens Huiber
last edited: March 18, 2024, 5:02 p.m
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Alexander Zverev was in the final in Miami 2018 – but still in Key Biscayne
Every match on the ATP tour has its pitfalls, and none of the players who find themselves in a grid of a 1000 tournament should be underestimated (possible exceptions: aspiring juniors who have been given a wildcard by the organizer). But of course it is more pleasant to meet the really big competitors as late as possible.
That’s exactly what Alexander Zverev hasn’t been able to do at the two biggest tournaments so far this season: at both the Australian Open and now also in Indian Wells, he had to face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Successful once, not the second time. In Melbourne this was followed by the elimination against Daniil Medvedev before missing the final against Jannik Sinner. That’s exactly what Zverev would have scored in Indian Wells – if the German number one had achieved his second success against Carlos Alcaraz of the current season.
Zverev against Medvedev only possible in the final
In Miami, Zverev gets a bit more “air”, at least according to paper form. Zverev has overtaken Andrey Rublev in the ATP charts and is currently in fifth position. After Novak Djokovic’s cancellation, the Hamburg native slipped into the top four seeds. And thus avoids Daniil Medvedev until a possible final at the Hard Rock Stadium. He could only meet Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at the earliest, depending on where Zverev takes the draw.
Of course, the potential quarter-final opponents Rublev, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud and Hubert Hurkacz are also there. Compared to defending champion Medvedev and the best players of the season so far – based on tournament victories – Sinner and Alcaraz, it’s a somewhat easier task.
By the way, Zverev’s record since moving from Key Biscayne to Miami isn’t all that outstanding: Last year he lost his first match against Taro Daniel in two sets, and in 2022 he was eliminated in the quarter-finals against Casper Ruud – and the year before that it was Emil Ruusuvuori, who said goodbye to Zverev as soon as he joined. In 2018, Zverev reached the final in Key Biscayne. But lost this against John Isner.
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2024-03-18 16:48:00
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