Erste Bank Open: It all depends on Alexander Zverev’s serve
Andrey Rublev will meet Alexander Zverev for the eighth time today in the quarter-finals of the Erste Bank Open 2023 (from 5:30 p.m. in our live ticker). And above all, he has to find a way to counter the German's serve.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Oct 27, 2023, 08:25 am
Eureka, one might happily exclaim in times like these, we have finally found the player for whom the balls can't be slow enough: namely Andrey Rublev. After his first round win in Vienna against Arthur Fils, Daniil Medvedev explained very clearly how the Wuchteln would rise like the dough needed for Wuchteln after a few rallies in the town hall. And that this is not good for the players' shoulders and joints in the long term. If he were the only athlete who noticed this: no big deal. But he actually hears that from most colleagues.
Except for Andrey Rublev! He celebrates the total deceleration of the game. So it's not his own - but slow balls would benefit him a lot because he knows how to pick up the pace himself.
Rublev has respect for Zverev's serve
And so to the game against Alexander Zverev on today's quarter-final day in Vienna. Rublev meets a long-time companion against whom he lost all of the first five games. But at least we won the last two. However, in the open air - and there Zverev's serve is usually very good, but not nearly as consistent as in the clinical indoor conditions.
So what will matter? “Return,” says Andrey Rublev. And thus also reflects the impressions of Sebastian Ofner, who identified an urgent setback problem after his elimination against Zverev. With yourself. Zverev's return usually fits quite well.
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But the two-time ATP world champion also knows what his service is all about. After the win against Ofner, he modestly pointed out that he could rely on his serve in difficult situations indoors. Even with rising stunners.
Here is the individual tableau in Vienna
Viennamap