Alexander Zverev just 20 years old, but ATP finals are becoming commonplace for him. Kevin Anderson is 29, but for him a title-match appearance must feel like something new.
Both players booked their spot on championship Sunday afternoon at the Citi Open by getting the job done in routine semifinal clashes on Saturday. Zverev took care of Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, while Anderson ousted Jack Sock by the exact same scoreline.
Nishikori was coming off a three-set thriller against Tommy Paul in which the Japanese star saved three match points, and he did not have much left in the tank for his next match. Zverev took advantage, dominating the first three games while losing only one point in the process. He never looked back, advancing to the last four in just one hour and four minutes.
“I played a great match,” Zverev assured. “I played well from the baseline. I returned pretty well…. I was holding serve quite comfortably, so I’m happy with how I played.”
Anderson likely feels the same way. The 6’8” South African had no trouble with Sock, prevailing in one hour and 29 minutes after firing 12 aces and holding all 10 if his service games (fought off five break points). Sock, on the other hand, ran into plenty of trouble with both Anderson and the conditions. The 19th-ranked American blasted the state of Washington, D.C.’s stadium court following his loss.
“Pretty shocking tennis court,” Sock suggested. “I don’t think I’ll be back at this tournament probably in the future. It’s probably the worst court of the year. Speed, bounces, everything. It’s pretty shocking.”
Anderson is through to his 12th career ATP final but first since Winston-Salem in the summer of 2015. Zverev has already played in four finals this season, winning three–including the Masters 1000 event in Rome.
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who ya got?
Maybe Sock should worry more about his level of play than the court conditions. There are others who played well, and didn’t complain. Sounds like excuses to me.
Yeah.No excuses.He said the same thing in Houston,held up play for a long time complaining about the court.
Having just watched the semis,the final could be really close but Zverev is playing even better than Anderson IMO.
First, I agree about Sock making excuses. He needs to focus on his game and quit whining about court conditions. I don’t hear the other players complaining.
As for the final, I saw Zverev beat Nishi pretty easily. He is looking good right now. I also think Anderson is playing well again.
I think Zverev will get the win here. I am not sure if it will be 2 or 3 sets, but he seems confident and should win.
The Zverev match should be decided in the decider as both have good serves and returns. Last rd. stats shows a big advantage for Zverev. But it is not really so, even tho both won with an identical score line of 6-3,6-4.
The big South African bird(Anderson)’s win over the big, strong and highly ranked jack Sock is worth more than Zverev’s win over a tired, pygmy Nishi Wishi who wished to be back home than play Zverev or on hard surface! It is just too hard for his short, injury prone body!lol As both are nearly equal in all respects, this match should be decided in a decider!
BB=Over But leaning on the Youth, current form and talent of Zverev to win a close 3 setter. Last 2 H2H’s were won by Zverev with 1 and 2 games respectively!
Zverev my handsome should win today as he is in a slightly better current form, winning the last 3 matches in 2 easy sets. Besides he has the better form on all surfaces in 2017 (winning big tournaments like the Rome & Munich Open) compared to “Andy the Big Bird” (Anderson)!lol