Alexander Zverev reaches Quarter-finals at Western & Southern Open

Alexander Zverev earned his first Top 10 win this season and broke a four-match losing streak against Daniil Medvedev on Thursday with an upset against his longtime rival to reach the quarter-finals at the Western & Southern Open.

In hefty windy conditions, the German found consistent groundstrokes in key moments and showed a hunger to persevere. He saved both break points he faced at 4-4, before he broke Medvedev’s serve in the next game to defeat the World No. 3 Medvedev 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 34 minutes. 

Zverev has now won his past eight matches in Cincinnati. He had won the final at the hard-court tournament in his previous appearance in 2021.

“It was very difficult conditions against a very difficult opponent,” Zverev said. “He gives you nothing and you have to win the match yourself and that is what I did today and I am pleased with that.”

Zverev lost his three prior 2023 meetings against the World No. 3 in Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo and Miami. However, he would not be denied again, striking winners left and right to improve to 7-9 their head-to-head matchup.

“I tried to be patient and you just have to take your chances, your opportunities. You are not going to get many because we were both serving quite well. I lost three very tight matches earlier this year, so I am pleased to have finally won one today.”

In windy conditions, Zverev looked to dictate. Zverev made his late breakthrough as Medvedev double-faulted to drop serve and trail 4-5 in the third set. A few points later, the 17th-ranked German was lifting his hands high in victory. He achieved the win on his first match point after two and a half hours.

While he committed 49 errors to 25 against Medvedev, the German struck 26 more winners (36-13), with his strike first style earning him the clutch decisive break of the match. 

The 2019 Cincinnati champion Medvedev holds a 32-5 record on hard courts in 2023. Alongside Zverev, only Novak Djokovic, Sebastian Korda, Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur have beaten Medvedev on hard courts this year.

Going after his second title of the season and sixth Masters 1000 overall, Zverev will play Adrian Mannarino next. The German clinched the trophy in Hamburg earlier this year.

Stay tuned for more breaking tennis coverage and updates.

Featured Image courtesy of Western & Southern Open

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