Alexander Zverev close to top level ahead of tiebreaking clash with Daniil Medvedev

ATP Tour
Alexander Zverev reacts

Alexander Zverev is said to be close to being back to his absolute best, according to his brother Mischa, who is part of his technical team.

Zverev will face Daniil Medvedev for the 13th time at Indian Wells on Tuesday at Indian Wells in a round of 16 clash that will break a 6-6 tie in their ATP Tour head-to-head.

Mischa believes that his brother only needs to ramp up his fitness to get back to the level he was at before his horror injury at Roland Garros last season.

“Sascha [Alexander] is not far away,” Mischa told Eurosport.

“He can already call up his top level.

“Now he just needs work on being able to call up this performance on a permanent basis. And in fitness, he can get even stronger. It’s hard to say how much he’s still missing, but I can see that he can still get fitter, he has potential.”

Zverev has slipped out on the top ten and is 8-7 for the season but things could be a whole lot worse for the German No 1 who has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Mischa believes it is that light at the end of the tunnel that is driving his brother to keep working.

“There is no big construction site, the road or the building is ready, you must test it under match conditions,” he added.

“There is no concrete plan as far as time is concerned. The important thing is that he keeps improving, and he does.

“He has to feel that he is making progress, then the work is fruitful and it’s always more fun when you notice that things are progressing.”

Zverev is set to have his fitness tested against Medvedev.

The former No 1 said that he expected there to be plenty of long rallies in the match.

Medvedev is on a 16-match winning streak but has complained that the Indian Wells surface is slow and the balls are heavy, conditions which might suit Zverev.

“I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of rallies,” said Medvedev.

“It’s going to come down to who makes – after 20 shots – the best shot to try to put your opponent off balance, which is not easy to do here.

“He’s coming back, he’s playing better and better. I think he’s not yet at where he was when he got injured, but every new match against a top player is an opportunity for him to bring back this level. So I’m going to have to try to play my best, and postpone it for at least [the] next tournament.”

READ MORE: Boris Becker sends Alexander Zverev stark warning

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