Zverev Feeling Positive Despite Cincy Loss

It’s only mid-August, but it has already been quite the U.S. summer for Alexander Zverev, whose 10-match win streak was snapped at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Wednesday against #NextGenATP American Frances Tiafoe.

The #NextGenATP German has captured two ATP World Tour titles, including the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., his first hard-court crown, and the Coupe Rogers, his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.

So while Zverev was hoping to a third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown this week, he accepted the loss in context.

“It’s been great. I won back-to-back weeks, two big events. Visiting Montreal was very, very special, as well. It’s been a positive summer so far,” said Zverev, who handed Roger Federer his first loss in a final this year (5-1 record). “I beat a lot of Top 10 players and have beaten a lot of great players, a lot of tough matches.”

The match could be one tennis fans see dozens of times during the coming years. Zverev, 20, has quickly ascended the Emirates ATP Rankings, reaching a career-high No. 7. Tiafoe, 19, is No. 87 but has reached No. 60. The American celebrated his first win against Zverev during the third FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting.

“He’s good. He keeps improving. I played him three times now, two times in Grand Slams, which I won. He plays very well. Hopefully there’s going to be a lot of tough and fun matches against him,” Zverev said.

The 6’6” German will next compete at Tiafoe’s home Grand Slam, the US Open, where many will be watching to see if he can replicate his hard-court success in Flushing Meadows.

“I think Roger and Rafa are the strongest ones and a few guys coming after that. I think I am involved in that group. I am in that small group of players. Obviously the two favourites are Roger and Rafa,” Zverev said.

“So I feel very confident the way I was playing in the last two weeks. I feel very confident how I am playing right now. And I think going into the US Open, I feel the best I have ever felt maybe going into a Slam. That gives me a lot of confidence, and hopefully I can show that on court, as well.”