Alexander Zverev makes statement of intent with stunning win in Mexico

ATP Tour
Alexander Zverev thumbs up

Alexander Zverev claimed the Mexican Open title in Acapulco by defeating top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 7-6 (3), as he confirmed he should no longer be considered as one of the rising stars of the game.

US Open runner-up Zverev suggested earlier in the tournament that he did not enjoy the tag of being a ‘Next Gen’ performer on the ATP Tour, as he argued he was now a more established member of the game’s elite.

And he backed up that sentiment with a thrilling win against Tsitsipas, with the top ten rivals pushing each other hard in the second before the German claimed the tournament and his 14th tour-level title by winning the tiebreaker 7-3.

“I’ve always said that this is definitely a tournament that I wanted to win in my career,” Zverev said in his post-match press conference.

“I have a very strong relationship with Mexico and with this tournament. I came here with a goal and I achieved it, and I’m very happy with that.

“In the beginning, I started off extremely bad, I thought I didn’t play well at all. I had to fight my way into the match, and I did well to win the first set.

“In the second set, when I have a chance I need to close it out against these top players because normally they won’t give you a second chance. I thought I played extremely well in the tie-break, I’m happy with how it went.”

Tsitsipas suggested he was happy with his form ahead of the Miami Masters, where he will head into the event as one of the favourites alongside Zverev after the withdrawals of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem.

“I take this week very positively,” said Tsitsipas. “I think it is great being able to play at such an intensity and level. I was very close once again to clinch and get that title, but it wasn’t meant to be… I played well.”

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