If there was any questions about the Russian teenager Alexander Zverev there are no more. The lanky but fluid nineteen year old won the St. Petersburg ATP singles title against US Open champion Stan Wawrinka 62 36 75. It’s the first title for Zverev who was stymied earlier this year in finals against Thiem on clay and Florian mayer on grass. Zverev showed he’s a special player by defying a very determined Wawrinka who expressed his full emotional fury and fire in the match but the remarkable Swiss powerhouse did not have enough to subdue this special Russian. Based on this magnificent win it would not be a stretch at all to suggest Zverev could win his first major title in 2017. 
Quotes: “This victory is something special. I played all the finals well. I lost to Dominic Thiem on clay and I could have won against Florian Mayer on the grass… Now I’m very happy with the win, especially over such a great player like Stan.†– Zverev 
“We showed high-quality tennis. I was struggling in the third set. I had chances but I didn’t manage to convert them. He deserved the win.†– Wawrinka
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« Previous 1 2Hartt · September 30, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Yes, when Kvitova is in the zone she is a real force, not just the power but making amazing shots, going for the lines and also making shots that clear the net at such an extreme angle that her opponent has no chance to get to them.
My sports channel is terrible about showing WTA matches – usually long after they are played. But today I am looking forward to seeing the Wuhan SF matches which the channel will show in a few minutes, even knowing the results.
Andrew Miller · September 30, 2016 at 7:32 pm
Hartt it’s an interesting take from ljon Wertheim at si. That said, I think Kafelnikov is in re results. If hall of fame reserved on slippery criteria then its probably not a gauge of great performance just a group of buddies.
Hartt · September 30, 2016 at 8:02 pm
So finally got to see the complete match of Kvitova vs. Halep. Yes, Petra’s power was on full display, but she did other things well too. She moved very well and made effective use of the drop shot, especially in the first set.
If Cibulkova brings her fighting spirit to the final it could be a very entertaining match.
catherine bell · October 1, 2016 at 5:52 am
It was a very short match. Cibulka was pretty tired I think.
Hartt · October 1, 2016 at 8:02 am
My sports channel won’t show the match until this afternoon. (I wonder why they even bothered to get the WTA rights.) But it sounds like it was not an entertaining match in any case. The headlines for some of Petra’s matches this week have used words like “thrashing” and this sounds like another one.
Some posters have dubbed her “Peakra” and that is what she is right now. But as a fan I know things can change dramatically for Petra very quickly, so will be interested to see how she does in the next tourney.
Andrew Miller · October 1, 2016 at 8:25 am
Some gut check matches today.
First, props to Kvitiva and Pliskiva. Both win their finals. Nice job following up us open.
In Tiburon, Mmoh vs Smee, and MacMac in other semi vs King. Nice job from MacMac and Mmoh.
In Japan qualification Second rd its Harry and DY. This is a pride match.
And…
In the wta china open, Puig loses 2 and 0 to Wickmayer. This is a serious spiral for the Olympic champ. She played some of the most riveting tennis on the tour this year, then the most abysmal weeks later. It’s the first time champ syndrome. See Muguruza. HUGE high, then let down after letdown.
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2016 at 8:31 am
Andrew: We saw this happen before at the OLY – nico massu – Puig laid it ALL on the line in Rio and has to recharge – Plus everyone now has extra incentive to beat the gold medal glory girl hero – Very good work by mmoh who has emerged now and forced entry into the USA #NextGen discussions – Darian King has stepped up this year also – I remember he was telling me at the 2015 US Open how hard it was to crack the top 200 – well he’s there now –
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2016 at 8:33 am
Tommy Paul has lost eight of his last nine matches – Was skipping college a big mistake? Looks like it right now –
Hartt · October 1, 2016 at 9:31 am
I know there are some Felix Auger-Aliassime fans here. He is in Hungary playing Junior Davis Cup and Canada is in the final, trying to defend last year’s title. It is a reminder of just how young Felix is at 16. His teammates from last year, at all of 17, are too old. And of course Shapovalov isn’t even playing juniors any longer.
Anyway, I saw the 2nd set of Felix’s match against an American player. Sorry, tuned in too late to get his name. Felix won the match 6-3, 6-1. As you can tell by the score he easily outplayed his opponent. Felix made some excellent shots but what really impressed me was his speed around the court. “Felix the Cat” is the perfect nickname for him.
I think the final is now tied at 1 match all, but the ITF site is not the greatest for getting up to date info.
Andrew Miller · October 1, 2016 at 10:42 am
Felix is good, no doubt.
Tommy Paul, seems to take jr French champs time to acclimate to tour. His game looked good to me on tape. What’s the issue here? Bad coach? Is he under usta fold? Every single next Gen us player has posted good or decent results. Tommy has a win in Houston against a clay court player solid win, that’s it. He’s good clay and hard-court. Can Gullicksen help? Spades?
Paul is talented. Super talented. All the shots. Technically should out perform all his us peers even Reilly and Fritz. Makes no sense.
Andrew Miller · October 1, 2016 at 10:45 am
Scoop is Puig really coming back? She seems like she pulled a Pannetta and forgot to tell every one btw I’m done. There’s no shame in doing what top players do and curb the schedule. She seems to have run back to the tour too fast.
Andrew Miller · October 1, 2016 at 10:47 am
King to me better than most guys at all challengers. Does he train here?
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Hartt: Was it Patrick Kypson? I know Felix beat PK at Herr last year and again at US Open this year – No doubt Felix has perennial top five superstar written all over –
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Not sure what the troubles are for Paul – it’s surprising that he’s actually regressed this year like Kozlov did last year – we all know there are a lot of growing pains for young pros as they get used to the pressures of the Tour life –
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2016 at 12:37 pm
I would guess Puig has motivation issues – her tennis dream came true against all odds – perhaps she feels a lack of desire to do it again – that along with the fact that everyone wants to beat her now for their own self value – she could even be self doubting herself that it was just a fluke – it’s an intriguing story –
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2016 at 12:38 pm
King trains in Florida last I heard and he also has worked as a hitting partner for Sloane and probably other WTA players –
catherine bell · October 1, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Andrew –
Puig lost to Wickmayer in Bejing, 1st round I think.
Andrew Miller · October 1, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Puig, yeah Catherine she’s losing early every time out. Scoop I think her motivation is sapped, she got the prize and now goes to tourneys and reporters ask her only about olympics. It’s worse as every time if she’s on stadium court they say please welcome the 2016 olympics champ..then she loses fast.
Maybe after playing for your country and pulling off the impossible is like the British non Murray guys in davis cup who pull off epic wins only to face the drudgery of the tour grind the next tournament, mere days after the epic win. They aren’t Djoker who uses it and finds himself playing even better. They face Monday knowing that they won’t recreate that magic.
Yeah what is with Tommy Paul. His game is good. Yes I agree it takes a good year. His buddies have been on a tear.
Hartt · October 1, 2016 at 5:10 pm
Scoop, Felix’s opponent was Sebastian Korda. I had to leave after the 1st set of doubles and the US team of Korda and Sangeet Sridhar were up a set. But the Canadian team of Felix and Chih Chi Huang came back to get the win. I thought this was the final, but was actually a SF. Canada will play Russia in the final. Am looking forward to seeing Felix play tomorrow.
Scoop Malinowski · October 1, 2016 at 7:14 pm
Korda is a very good player! He won a set at US Open off SFist and seeded Yosuke Watanaki who just lost in Tokyo qualies to Stepanek 46 46 – you know Stepanek consulted with Petr Korda on how to play Watanaki kid as Petr was there at the Seb Korda vs Watanaki US Open clash – But Felix is on another level –
Hartt · October 2, 2016 at 10:12 am
Korda and Felix both won their singles matches today at the junior Davis Cup. But not a great result overall for both Canada and the USA. Canada lost the deciding doubles to Russia and the US lost to Argentina. It was very frustrating – the ITF stream for the matches did not work today.
Andrew Miller · October 2, 2016 at 1:27 pm
In battle royale in Japan, Harrison d. DY in 3. They actually have a pretty nice rivalry going. Yet another thing to like about the sport – we talk about the “big rivalries”, but the day to day rivalries are just as compelling. There’s little journalistic reason to go under the hood and see them, but as fans we benefit from the fact that there’s a history among players. I think this is one of the better ones, as when DY is rising he fights Harrison tooth and nail, and when Harrison is rising he gives it back in equal proportion. It’s a good one and I’m sure this was a pretty good match for most of it, especially as, these days, both players are throwing everything they have into the sport and are VERY aware that each match is an opportunity.
Can we applaud Harrison also? He has now qualified for the majority of tournaments he’s played since losing in Newport. He didn’t qualy in Newport or Cincinatti, but he did in Washington DC, Montreal, US Open, last week in China, and now this week in Japan. Harrison is doing some great work in getting this, and I think by Monday his ranking will be top 100.
Sure’ it’s not Alex Zverev. The better parallel for Harrison is Zverev’s brother’s comparable rise, as Mischa Zverev, pretty good player himself, is putting on a similar show. Different factors. One’s sibling rivalry with Zverev. The other one is Harrison seeing everyone around him doing better – Americans, young players from any country, his own brother, and saying, hey I want in.
I wonder if Harry is on the comeback player of the year list. He probably should be, even if Del Potro is the clear breakout, Harrison has proven himself week in, week out for 3 months!
Scoop Malinowski · October 2, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Korda has really stepped up into the big time this year – We knew Felix was already there but Korda keeps putting his name in the mix = Fine player and definitely one to keep an eye on – tall thin kid nice serve and penetrating shots off both wing and excellent poise too – a lot to like about Sebi Korda –
Michael in UK · October 2, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Another NextGen first ATP win as Russian Karen Khachanov beats Ramos Vinolas in Cengdu open!
And I read apparently Pouille likely to face Nadal again in China Open….
2017 will be fascinating with this new crop of young players…will any break through the pack to dominate convincingly?
Hartt · October 3, 2016 at 8:06 am
Was so glad Khuchanov won the title. Have been following him since, as a young teenager, he had surprising results in Moscow.
Right now am watching another youngster, Pouille, play in Beijing. Lucas is leading Randy Lu 4-1 in the first set. Another break for Pouille – Lu is playing poorly, with a lot of UFEs, so it is hard to evaluate Lucas, he hasn’t had to do much.
Saw the last set of Nishikori vs. Young. Kei had lost the first set, apparently his pattern in Tokyo. Young started the 3rd set OK but after Kei got a break Donald seemed to lose heart. He had 3 DFs in 1 game, handing it (and effectively the match) to Kei.
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2016 at 9:01 am
First saw Kachanov three years ago when he got a WC into miami and played Gimeno Traver of Spain – Big skinny kid who has filled out and gotten lot stronger – the insider word back then was that he didn’t have any weapons – well that opionion has proven to be fallacy – Kachanov has the look of a top five player – Kei is another level above Young – it’s actually a very good job by Young to win a set off Kei –
Hartt · October 3, 2016 at 11:16 am
If I remember correctly Khachanov was his full height (presuming he does not grow any more) of 6’6″ at a very early age. He has made a big leap in the rankings – from 101 to 55.
Pouille won his match against Lu in SS, 6-1, 6-2, in 49 minutes. The commies talked about Pouille’s good attitude and how he has “what’s necessary between the ears.” The more I watch tennis and think about it, the more I realise how key the mental aspect is, how it separates the men from the boys and the women from the girls.
I enjoy spotting a promising young player at an early age and then following his career. It’s a lot more fun than just following the top guys. And if he does make the top 10, or even better, the top 5, I get to say “I have been watching his development for years.”
Andrew Miller · October 3, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Finally, Harrison vs Kyrgios in Japan. I’ll take the momentum player over he who hates tennis. Fireworks guaranteed
In Japan, DY falls as lucky L to Kei Nishikori in three.
And Shvedova shows she’s no MPuig. Maybe fall is just a place for players to stay in form. Edmund keeps doing well too.
Andrew Miller · October 3, 2016 at 1:52 pm
Pouille, ambitious or Grosjean 2.0?
Scoop Malinowski · October 3, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Grosjean was a fine fine superb player – I think Pouille can get beyond an Aus Open SF – I think Pouille can win anything –
Andrew Miller · October 4, 2016 at 8:52 am
Kyrgios d Harry no fireworks
Andrew Miller · October 4, 2016 at 8:53 am
Grosjean got Wimbledon semi too
Scoop Malinowski · October 4, 2016 at 9:26 am
Grosjean is one of those many forgotten great players – myskina clement dokic petrova lapentti kiefer etc
Andrew Miller · October 4, 2016 at 10:13 pm
Harry nearly top 100 again.
Scoop Malinowski · October 5, 2016 at 8:35 am
Geusstimate Harrison will be top50 again next year – After a long hiatus and drought it’s safe to say Harry is back – Put the forks back in the drawer Dan 🙂