Triumph in Acapulco: Alexander Zverev defies earthquake and whirlwind Tsitsipas
Alexander Zverev celebrates his first tournament win of the year in Acapulco. In this form, the hamburger is also one of the top favorites at the upcoming Masters in Miami.
by SID
last edit: Mar 21, 2021, 06:54 pm
Alexander Zverev had already defied an earthquake and a Greek whirlwind in Acapulco, but the biggest challenge was this darned sombrero. Only in the third attempt did the blue XXL hat sit safely on his head - then the Hamburg-based man in the Mexican soccer jersey could finally win the bizarre trophy in the shape of a pear and celebrate his first tournament victory of the tennis season. But Zverev would also have cut a good figure in a costume competition.
"For me it was a very clear goal to win here. I am very happy that I made it," said the top German player after the 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 3) against the top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Mexican vacation paradise . It was a big exclamation mark against the world number five from Greece after five defeats in a row, Zverev showed great fighting qualities in the first round at 1: 4 deficit and stormed to the 14th tournament victory of his career without losing a set.
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Zverev plays through earthquakes
So after a turbulent month with a first round defeat in Rotterdam, the shape is right again. Last week, his ex-girlfriend gave birth to their daughter Mayla, and Zverev had already called this the "highlight of my life" before the birth. And during the German duel in the semifinals against Dominik Koepfer, he was not bothered by a slight earthquake of magnitude 5.7.
Zverev is well equipped for the upcoming sporting highlights, the 23-year-old already has the next chance for a title at the Masters in Miami from Wednesday. Because both the world number one Novak Djokovic, the major record champions Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as well as the US Open winner Dominic Thiem forego the tournament in Florida, which once enjoyed the reputation of the "fifth Grand Slam". This means that Zverev is suddenly one of the top favorites.
Zverev zu Miami: "Field full of great players"
"Of course there are opportunities in Miami because of the strange circumstances, but the field is still full of great players," said Zverev: "I still have to beat a few good players if I want to go far. Just because the 'Big 3 'Are not there, that doesn't mean it will be easier for all the other players. "
In any case, after his victory in Acapulco, Zverev had one big goal in mind again. "After a week like this you are extremely satisfied with your result in the end," he said: "But my goal remains the same, namely to win the Grand Slams on the big stages of the tour." And "hopefully", said Zverev, "weeks like this will help me get closer to it".