Alexander Zverev has defeated Daniil Medvedev for the first time this season and after his victory the German was quick to give some credit to Carlos Alcaraz who shared with him some tips on beating the former US Open champion during a round of golf.
The 26-year old has faced the Russian four times this year and was on a three-match losing streak before prevailing in Cincinnati. Their matches have never failed to draw some drama with Zverev labelling Medvedev as “one of the most unfair players in the world” after losing in Monte Carlos Masters during the European clay swing.
However, Zverev came as victor in the fourth attempt after a nail-biting 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win over the world No. 3 in the R3 of Western and Southern Open.
After the match, the German revealed the secret to beating the lanky Russian with the help of a little advice from Wimbledon champion, ““Against him [Medvedev], playing slowly is not a bad tactic.”
He continued, “So after golf with Carlos Alcaraz last week in Toronto, he gave me a very good game plan against him actually. I asked him a few questions so that was quite helpful.
“At the end of the day I did what I had to do. I kind of fought it out and I’m happy to be sitting here as the winner. He gives you absolutely nothing. You have to win the match yourself. That’s what I did today and I’m pleased with that. I lost three tight matches this year and I’m happy I finally won one.”
Alcaraz leads Medvedev in head-to-head that includes two victories over the Moscow-native this year with the most recent coming in Wimbledon semifinal – a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win.
Meanwhile, after beating Dimitrov, Nishioka and Medvedev, Zverev is now into the quarters of Cincinnati Open where he will face Adrian Mannarino against whom he holds a clean sheet of 7-0. The German is on an 8-mtach win-streak at Cincinnati Masters after crowned champion in 2021 and missing the whole 2022 season because of the ankle injury. He is expected to meet Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster semifinal clash, if he gets past the Frenchman in the quarters.
Zverev’s 2021 Title Run at Cincinnati Masters
Here is how the German completed his triumphant run at 2021 Cincinnati Open:
R1 – Received a bye as the third seed
R2 – Beat Lloyd Harris, 7-6(3) 6-2
R3 – Beat Guido Pella, 6-2 6-3
Quarters – Beat Casper Ruud (8), 6-1 6-3
Semis – Beat Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), 6-4 3-6 7-6(4)
Final – Beat Andrey Rublev (4), 6-2 6-3