Zverev Claims Second Masters 1000 Crown In Montreal
There is a new champion at the Coupe Rogers and his name is Alexander Zverev. The #NextGenATP German was in a relentless rhythm throughout the final in Montreal and would take the title 6-3, 6-4 over Roger Federer.
Zverev claimed his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy, adding to his maiden title in Rome (d. Djokovic) earlier this year. He became the first player outside the Big Four of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to win multiple Masters 1000 titles in a season since David Nalbandian in 2007. In addition, he is just the second active player other than the Big Four to win more than one Masters 1000 crown, joining Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
"Winning two Masters 1000 titles in the same year is something amazing," said Zverev. "I played well winning Washington and here. It's something amazing, back-to-back weeks. I feel great. I feel like I'm playing some of the best tennis of my life.
"But Cincinnati is a very tough draw. I don't know if I will be able to go far there because I am a little bit tired. But game-wise and confidence-wise, I'm super happy the way everything is standing."
Zverev, who secured his place in the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan with a semi-final win over Denis Shapovalov, was dominant in all facets on Sunday. The German struck his serve with aggressive alacrity and his powerful groundstrokes opened the court for finishing blows. He also moves to third in the Emirates ATP Race To London, with his chances of qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals receiving a significant boost.
The 20 year old added a tour-leading fifth ATP World Tour title of the season, joining Federer atop the leaderboard. In addition to his victory in Rome, he previously prevailed in Marseille, Munich and last week in Washington.
"I feel like I'm playing the right tennis, well enough tennis to be there," Zverev added. "I don't feel like things are going unnatural. I think everything is going pretty natural. Obviously winning the two Masters 1000 events, everybody would be proud of that, and nobody could expect it. But I'm happy that it happened."
Zverev fired 20 winners, including six aces, during the swift 68-minute affair. He was a force on serve, saving all three break points faced, while claiming two of six of his own. Most impressively, the German refused to allow Federer to find his rhythm from the baseline and on return, claiming 75 per cent of total service points and dominating rallies from the back of the court. Two breaks - at 2-1 in the first set and 3-all in the second - were all Zverev needed to cross the finish line. He closed out the victory with a service winner on his first match point.
Winner of $894,585 in prize money and 1,000 Emirates ATP Rankings points, Zverev is the youngest champion at the Coupe Rogers since Djokovic in 2007. He is also the first German titlist in more than 30 years, since Boris Becker prevailed in Toronto in 1986.
"It is a positive week in the end," said Federer. "The final was unexpected. But it's keeping up with the good results of this year. Playing the final was a good thing. Of course, I'm disappointed with today. I thought I would do better. I wanted to fight a bit more and make the match a bit more tighter. I had opportunities. But Zverev played extremely well. He played well all week.
"Alexander has been around for a while now. Not a whole long time, but at this level I've gotten to play him already now for the fourth or fifth time. I practised a ton with him. We know each other well. I'm just really happy for him, to see that he's taking everything not just to the next level, but the two next levels, winning two Masters 1000s. It's extremely difficult to win. He's won two this year. It's a wonderful achievement for him. I wish him the best for the coming months and hope he can finish the season very strong because there's opportunities now."
Federer leaves Montreal with his first defeat in a final this year (5-1 record) and first loss to a Top 10 player (9-1). Boasting a 35-3 mark in 2017, the Swiss was looking to win a title in the Canadian city for the first time. The two-time champion at the Canadian ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event (2004 & '06 in Toronto), Federer takes home $438,635 in prize money and 600 Emirates ATP Rankings points. He will look to add an eighth Western & Southern Open title next week in Cincinnati, where he is also vying to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings. Learn More About No. 1 Scenarios
"I felt all right all week. Had a bit of muscle pain, aches and pains here and there, just because it's back on the match courts, on the hard courts. After vacation and practice, it's always a bit of a shock for the body. We'll have to wait and see now how I feel in the next couple of days."
