Boris Becker - "Alexander Zverev has better chances for the title than the DFB team"
Boris Becker follows the French Open as a Eurosport expert. In the SID interview, he is quite impressed by Alexander Zverev and estimates the chances of reaching the final of the German number one.
by SID
last edit: Jun 10, 2021, 02:14 pm
SID: "Boris Becker, Alexander Zverev played five matches in Paris and made it to the semi-finals of the French Open. What grade would you give him for his previous appearances?"
Boris Becker (53, Eurosport expert): "A second that was really excellent. After the problems in the first round, he actually played the next four matches flawlessly. Perhaps it was also important for him to have such a difficult first round to really get into the tournament. The match against Nishikori was absolutely world class. In the game against Davidovich Fokina he came to the game more about the fight. What makes him stand out now is that he wins relatively smoothly even when he's not playing his best tennis. You can't play perfectly in every match for over two weeks, you also have to fight sometimes, sometimes scratch. He has now learned that without losing too many sentences. "
SID: "Do you agree with the impression that Zverev's charisma and its effect have changed again and that the opponents give up more quickly because they do not have the feeling of being able to come back if they are more clearly behind?"
Becker: "He's a cool player, he doesn't show a lot of emotions to the outside world, even if he doesn't play that well. He actually always stays the same and that intimidates. Many players have a rollercoaster ride when it comes to their emotions and you see that less and less at Zverev. He also has a moment when he throws the bat or curses, but not permanently. He also accepts situations that are not going so well, swallows them down and then continues playing . What really impresses me is his physical dominance, you never get the impression that he is tired or out of breath for ten minutes after a long rally. I think that also intimidates the opponent that he can play for six hours without breaking in. "
Tsitsipas and Zverev know each other very well
SID: "What will be important for Zverev against Tsitsipas? Do nuances decide?"
Becker: "Few points. I think it's a question of attitude, will, also the right strategy, but above all belief. Those who believe more in their own strength will win on Friday. I don't see any favorites, I don't see that Tsitsipas should actually win, I don't see that at all. The same applies to Zverev. Everyone has the same chances, it's really about the form of the day. "
SID: "The record speaks a bit for Tsitsipas, although neither of them have often played against each other on clay. You also know from your career that you don't get along so well against certain opponents. Is it another special situation, how do you go deal with that as a player? "
Becker: "They know each other very well, once trained together as a teenager and lived together with host families. So that's a very long relationship, they really know each other inside out. There are players who suit you more than others. But it's just the beginning of their careers, they will play against each other at least ten to 15 times. The balance sheet is currently for Tsitsipas, but Zverev won the last game in March. I'm not giving too much on the balance sheet yet. "
SID: "You are also a football fanatic. What do you think is more realistic this summer: that Zverev will win the French Open or that the German national team will win the title at the European Championship?"
Becker: "That's a crucial question, the way I answer it, it's bad. I'll be straightforward and say that Zverev has better chances of winning Paris."
Here the single tableau in Roland Garros
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