ATP Finals: Zverev with a boost for self-confidence
Alexander Zverev made a strong statement with his opening win against Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals. And a balance sheet improved.
by Daniel Hofmann
last edit:
Nov 14, 2023, 09:38 am
If you compare Zverev's victory against the second-seeded Spaniard with his previous performance in the finals, then the German number one has already set an important milestone. In his two previous titles at the ATP Finals, Zverev won against the two top-seeded players during the tournament.
In his first triumph at the year-end tournament, which was still being held in London at the time, Zverev won in the semi-finals against second seed Roger Federer in the semi-finals and then defeated the top seed Novak Djokovic in the final after he had clearly lost to him in the group phase.
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In 2021, this year's winner at Rothenbaum also prevailed in the final against number two in the tournament. Daniil Medvedev had to admit defeat to Zverev there. Novak Djokovic, like this year, top seed in 2021, lost in the semi-finals. A duel with Novak Djokovic would be inevitable for winning the title if one wants to continue the superstition.
Zverev 2023 with a poor top 10 record
For Zverev himself, however, the three-set win should have increased his self-confidence. Especially since in 2023 he was mostly left behind against top 10 opponents. In 16 matches, Zverev was only able to celebrate his third success against a world-class player against Alcaraz. In the other 13 matches, the currently seventh in the world rankings left the court as a loser.
Even though the two-time finals champion said before the start in Turin that he was primarily happy about taking part in Turin, the success against Alcaraz will also have sparked his own ambitions and expectations. Because self-confidence is crucial for the 26-year-old.
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