ATP Cologne: Alexander Zverev wants to maintain his series
Even without a spectator, the final of the first bett1HULKS Indoors promises to be an interesting duel when two young stars of the tennis scene will face each other on Sunday afternoon (at 2 p.m.) with Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime .
by Florian Heer from Cologne
last edit: Oct 18, 2020, 08:24 am
When the number one seeded Zverev appeared in front of the press on Saturday in the catacombs of the Lanxess Arena after his 7: 5, 7: 6 (3) success over the young Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, he looked visibly satisfied. This could also be seen despite the well-fitting face mask. The native of Hamburg had every reason to be. Finally, Zverev was able to make it into his 20th tour-level final.
This also shows a certain consistency in his performance in recent years. Zverev has reached at least two finals in every season since 2016. “This year I made it to the final of the US Open. I didn't manage to do this in the previous seasons, ”explained Zverev and also pointed out. “I've also won a tournament every year since 2016. These statistics are more important to me. "
In fact, number 7 in the ATP world rankings can triumph for the twelfth time on the ATP tour with a success over Auger-Aliassime, who knocked down the number two seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets.
“I want to do everything I can to win a new tournament in Germany tomorrow. That has nothing to do with the US Open, "replied Zverev when asked whether winning the title in Cologne could be consolation for the lost final in Flushing Meadows.
Zverev as the favorite in the final against FAA
“I've never lost to Felix before. It will be extremely interesting for the tournament when two young players face each other in the final. It's definitely not going to be easy, ”said Zverev, looking forward to the exchange of blows with the 20-year-old Canadian.
The German emerged victorious from both of the previous two games. At the ATP Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo and at the ATP 500 event in Beijing, Zverev remained without losing a set.
Auger-Aliassime with another chance of first ATP tournament victory
“I lost the last two times. We have already trained a lot together and he knows my game very well, ”said Auger-Aliassime, describing the initial situation before the final in the cathedral city. The number 3 seeded NextGen star is contesting its sixth final on the ATP tour in Cologne, the five previous ones were all lost in the preseason in Rio de Janeiro, Lyon and Stuttgart and this year in Rotterdam and Marseille.
“It will be another tough match. In the last final in China, I did a lot of things right. However, Alex served very strong that day. I will try to act aggressively, but not to exaggerate, in order to be able to wait for the right moment. A lot will depend on how much I can customize my game. Together with my coach we will analyze a few things via video and of course I hope to get my first win against him. I'm up to the challenge, ”says Auger-Aliassime fiercely.