Alexander Zverev Explains What Makes it ‘Even More Difficult’ to Play Jannik Sinner After ATP Finals Defeat
Alexander Zverev lost his fourth consecutive match against Jannik Sinner this season.
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Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner (Image via Instagram/Alexander Zverev, X/The Tennis Letter)
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Jannik Sinner has become the first player in the draw to qualify for the semifinals of the ATP Finals. On November 12, the Italian ace went past third seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets, winning his fifth consecutive match against him to improve his head-to-head record to 6-4.
Zverev and Sinner are the only players in the draw who have at least one ATP Finals title to their name. Sinner is bidding to defend his title, while Sascha is a two-time winner, lifting the title in 2018 and 2021. Following his defeat, the German explained how Sinner’s service games are making it more challenging to face him.
Sometimes when he’s having a day like this, where he’s serving unbelievable… His biggest strength is, of course, how he plays from the baseline, how he moves, how he hits forehands, and how he hits backhands.
Alexander Zverev at the press conference
The 28-year-old is 1-1 as he defeated Ben Shelton in his first round-robin match. After the second seed, the three-time Grand Slam finalist will lock horns with Felix Auger-Aliassime, against whom he holds a 6-3 head-to-head lead.
Sometimes when he’s serving like this, it’s even more difficult because, as you said, seven break points, seven first serves, not one second serve I had. I was not even in the rally at all. I think I made one return. He hit a forehand winner. So yeah, it’s difficult like this.
Alexander Zverev added
Zverev is chasing his second title of the season and is aiming to reach his fifth final, following the Australian Open, Munich Open, Stuttgart Open, and Vienna Open. In his previous match, Sinner clinched a straight-set win over Auger-Aliassime.
Since the 24-year-old did not drop a set, he now has a chance to claim the $5,071,000 in prize money. Winning the ATP Finals will also ensure he will continue to remain No.1. If he fails to defend his title and Carlos Alcaraz wins his first title in the event, he will dethrone Sinner.
Felix Auger-Aliassime wants to walk in the footsteps of Jannik Sinner
Felix Auger-Aliassime has made his second appearance in the season-ending championships, following the 2022 season. He is aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time. After losing to Jannik Sinner, the Canadian ace eliminated Ben Shelton from the semifinal race, following which, he said he wants to win matches the way Sinner is winning.
I mean, as a player, you know you will get into difficult and tight situations at this level. I would love to win every match in straight sets, maybe the way Sinner does, right? For most of us players, it’s like, especially at this level, you will be in tight situations when it comes down to it.
Auger-Aliassime became the eighth player to qualify thanks to seven-time ATP Finals champion Novak Djokovic‘s withdrawal following his three-set win over Lorenzo Musetti in the final of the first edition of the Hellenic Championship in Athens.
The 25-year-old is chasing his fourth title of the season, following his wins at the Adelaide International, Open Sud de France, and European Open. He also reached the finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships and Paris Masters.
Sinner, on the other hand, is chasing his sixth title of the season. The World No.1 has played nine finals, winning titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, China Open, Vienna Open, and the Paris Masters. Last year, in the final of the year-end event, Sinner went past Taylor Fritz. Sinner will next be locking horns with Shelton, also one of the second players who made his debut.
Also read: Novak Djokovic Tactfully Refuses to Pick the Greatest Tennis Player
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