Alexander Zverev comments on Grigor Dimitrov’s failure to reach Grand Slam final ahead of their US Open meet

Alexander Zverev faces Grigor Dimitrov in the third round of US Open 2023.

Alexander Zverev comments on Grigor Dimitrov’s failure to reach Grand Slam final ahead of their US Open meet

Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov (Credits: user generated content)

12th seed Alexander Zverev will face 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the first blockbuster match of the US Open 2023 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. The third-round match will be the 7th encounter between the pair. The head-to-head heavily favors Zverev, the German boasts a lopsided record of 5-1.

The Bulgarian announced himself to the tennis world when he defeated defending champion Andy Murray at the 2014 Wimbledon championships to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final. Since then, Dimitrov’s career hasn’t taken off as expected by many. The former World No.3, to the surprise of many, has never reached a Grand Slam final. Dimitrov has 3 Grand Slam semi-final finishes to his name: Wimbledon(2014), Australian Open(2017), US Open(2019). Dimitrov, not reaching a Major final, has caught his upcoming opponent by surprise too.

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“If he beat Murray in three sets, it’s because he’s playing very well. What surprises me most about his professional career is that he never reached a Grand Slam final. It is true that it coincided with the heyday of the Big 3 and that in recent years, players like Stefanos and myself have played more regularly,” the German said in the post-match conference after his second round victory.

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The US Open 2020 finalist further said,“But Tsitsipas didn’t win a Grand Slam, and neither did I. It always comes back to Novak, Roger and Rafa. A lot of players like Berdych, Ferrer, Nalbandian, Soderling. They didn’t win either, because of three guys who really dominated for 20 years. Winning a Grand Slam is very difficult.”

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Alexander Zverev feeling disrespected by talks of Djokovic and Alcaraz reaching the US Open final

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic after the Wimbledon 2023 final
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic after the Wimbledon 2023 final (Credits : Getty Images)

The top-2 pairing of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are the heavy favorites to reach the finals of the US Open. The pair have faced each other in two memorable Major finals this year. Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in a marathon 5-setter to win the Wimbledon and his second Grand Slam title. The pair faced off again in the final of Cincinnati Masters in the lead-up to the US Open. Djokovic got his revenge of sorts as he won in 3 sets in what was the longest Masters 1000 final.

“I find it logical that the media seek stories related to them, the rivalries are very appreciated. However, I think it is disrespectful to others to assume that they are predestined to play the final. There are many players who can avoid this duel and who will give their all,” Zverev said in his post-match press conference.

Zverev defeated Dimitrov in the fourth round of the French Open earlier this year on course to a semi-final finish. The Olympic gold medalist has recovered from his ankle ligament injury and showing flashes of his best self.

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