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Zverev is for real

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. az 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 Wawrinka_01“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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85 comments

  • Hartt · September 27, 2016 at 1:22 pm

    Zverev is such an exciting talent. I know it is dangerous to predict that a young player will be the next big thing, but Nadal has said that Sascha could be a future no.1 and I am not about to argue with him!

    I don’t know about a Slam in 2017, but anything is possible. But I will be amazed if, barring serious injury, he does not win multiple Slams during his career.

    It is great that there are several youngsters coming along now – tennis needs some variety in winners or it becomes too predictable, and thus boring.

  • Dan Markowitz · September 27, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    Dude lost in the second round of the Open to Daniel Evans. Daniel Brands took a set off of him in the first round. Now maybe the dude just has trouble with guys named Daniel (maybe he should talk to Elton John about this), but I don’t think he’s winning a slam in 2017 and if Daniel Nguyen has anything to say about it, maybe never.

  • Thomas Tung · September 27, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    Zverev is the real deal — I think the only knock against him is that he has a tendency to play too “conservatively” instead of ending the point (this goes for his serve, too — he habitually hits it pretty hard, but not with the placement and power expected from him, which is why even his big serves have a tendency to get returned back to him). All Sasha needs to do, basically, is to let loose a bit more with his firepower, and flatten out the shots from time to time. (Also continue with the physical fitness). I’d think he’s ready for Slam territory anytime within the next 1-3 years (IMO he is the most talented of the young guns out there, including Kyrgios [who reminds me, not positively, of Mark Philippoussis when it comes to “distractions” as well as talent — Nick has a lot of both. Unfortunately, this is NOT the McEnroe/Connors/Borg/Vilas era, where you could get away with excess recreations, knowing that you were going to play a sucker and wipe him 6-1 6-2 6-2 — those days are LONG over]).

  • Scoop malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    What teally impressed was how he outsmarted Stan. Played the long points and protected himself from Stans weapons and won the key points at the end. Stan wanted this title too. The mark of Zverev is now no. 24 in the world. Interesting that Yevgeny Kafelnikov was sitting with poppa Zverev. Now there is a guy who can be a great coach for a young player. Even as a part time consultant. Zverev will be a major star for the atp.

  • Michael in UK · September 27, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    Did you also see that Lucas Pouille also won hIs first ATP tournament, beating Thiem in the final in Metz, France (Moselle Open)?
    I hope it’s going to be great watching Pouille, Zverev, and Thiem over the next couple of years. My favourite right now is Pouille.
    Still hoping Jerzy Janowicz can come back strongly too.
    And then there’s Kyrios out there too.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    Pouille is the real deal Michael. Didn’t see the match but to beat Thiem in a final is an awfully impressive result. He looked like a top ten player at the US Open. Big, strong, composed, intelligent, consistent, and an innate ability to win close matches against tough players. If I remember correctly, Pouille is part French and part Nordic, so he’s not a typical French player.

  • Andrew Miller · September 27, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    Yes, all hail St Petersburg champs like Dimitrov. Wait a second…nice win for him and winning a post us open tournament doesn’t make you a slam champ.

  • Andrew Miller · September 27, 2016 at 7:27 pm

    Yes the big five is vulnerable having won 100 percent of the last eight slams.

    I agree that this crew of players age seventeen to twenty three is going to produce a slam champion. Don’t know when. They can because they are immensely talented and competitive with one another. Usually that produces even better players

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    Andrew: Beating the US Open winner a few weeks after he won the US Open at the age of 19 absolutely equates to future major winner –

  • Thomas Tung · September 27, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    Didn’t notice that Kafelnikov was sitting with Zverev’s dad — that’s pretty interesting. I know that Yevgeny spoke highly of Karen Khachanov two years ago, which is why I started to pay attention to Karen. Kafelnikov’s my favorite tennis player of all time (not the best, no, but I just liked the way he played and thought out there). Yevgeny did everything quite well, and at a high level, being a pretty pure ballstriker with little effort (Tomas Berdych/Novak Djokovic have, essentially, picked up where Kafelnikov left off — one with power and precision, the other with foot speed/consistency).

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2016 at 8:56 pm

    Thomas: Kafelnikov was a legendary player and is overdue for the Hall of Fame- also he had a lopsided winning record vs Rios who could not handle Kafelnikov at all – I was told a funny Yevgeny story – he and a pretty fun loving coach of an American player had a discussion where the coach offered to wager on a match on a very longshot player – Kafel replied “You like losing $?” – Of course the longshot player lost and Kafelnikov won the bet which I think was a hundred bucks – Kafelnikov was walking out to the stadium court for his match and he saw the coach who owed him the $ and stopped and put his bag down and insisted on collecting his winnings – the coach paid up and Kafelnikov picked up his bag and went out to the stadium and played his match 🙂 Kafelnikov made sure no one welched on a wager with him 🙂 Great player though and pretty funny guy though he was prickly with the media – I finally did a Biofile with him at the 2007 Davis Cup final in Portland after many futile attempts – I talked with his doubles partner Vacek who won two major doubles title with Kafel – Kafel had a great record in major finals singles and doubles – Great player with solid techniques and consistency – competed like a machine – maybe the greatest Russian player of all time – Used that Fischer racquet with the big butt end handle on his grip –

  • Thomas Tung · September 28, 2016 at 12:59 am

    Scoop, what’s your take on why Rios couldn’t handle Kafelnikov? I have my own opinions, but would like to hear yours (or anyone else on this forum, for that matter).

    I got into Fischer racquets solely because Kafelnikov used them, and still have my M-Comp 95s (added the X Feel Pro line to my racquet collection simply because Fischer’s tennis line got bought out by Pacific. The X Feel Pro, IMO, is actually a slight improvement on the M Comp 95). At one point, I also built up my racquet butt like Yevgeny did (never got his kind of results, though).

    As for Kafelnikov’s play style, I always thought that it was the most energy-efficient of any player I ever saw until Tomas Berdych came onto the scene. That and I heard that he didn’t always like to have a “formal” practice, so he’d go play doubles instead, and satisfy both his training and bank account needs. Yevgeny used to give Agassi difficulty on-court until he faded after 2001; then, Andre had his number. Even then, their last encounter at the US Open in 2003 wasn’t exactly a pushover (6-3 7-6(4) 6-4). Andre has said that Kafelnikov had a smooth, slippery serve that was well disguised and had good placement, solid pace and spin, so it was hard for him to read and get on top of.

  • Thomas Tung · September 28, 2016 at 1:01 am

    Kafelnikov and Agassi also had this fun match at the 2000 Australian Open where there was a lot of clean hitting and flat winners:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgScOlDlZWY

  • Andrew Miller · September 28, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Zverev is good and his example should inspire his peers plus Steve Johnson who beat him in straights earlier this year.

    Ok he is good. Best thing is the ranking points so he faces Evans early and often.

    Simina Halep continues to show that without Serena she is the rightful who knows. Sorry Halep . Nice win against Shvediva and the Wizniaki keeps on winning! She’s not retiring until 2017. Beats us open revelation Siniakpva.

    Tiburon heating up. Some popcorn matches. Escobedo bites the dust against an Italian Caruso.

    Harrison beats GGL in Shenzen. Tipsy wins too. Mannarini beats Kudla in Chegdu.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 28, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Evans had a fantastic Open – do not write that guy off he is a very tricky very good lefty whose career was dead twice but he battled back – very very underrated eccentric player – who I was told has perhaps the strangest tale of all as he was/is a lunatic off the court when he parties –

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 28, 2016 at 9:45 am

    Harrison now 3-0 vs GGL and hasn’t lost a set – Harrison on his way to top 25 🙂 Yo Adrian got beat by Kachanov who is a rising force right now – Rubin lost to Fratangelo in Tiburon – Paul lost again to B Becker –

  • Andrew Miller · September 28, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Saw that Agassi Kafelnikov match. Kafelni hit a sweet bh but Agassi crushed him.

  • Andrew Miller · September 28, 2016 at 10:19 am

    If it’s Davis Cup I don’t write off any British player. But once Davis Cup ties end I write them off at a record rate unless their first name is Andy and their last name is Murray. Unless they are Kyle Edmund, who I think cares as much about the regular season as Davis Cup, a rarity for the Kingdom.

  • catherine bell · September 28, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Kerber out in Wuhan. Should be a straight run now for you-know-who 🙂

  • Andrew Miller · September 28, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    2017, the year of Simona.
    This isn’t true.

  • catherine bell · September 28, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    Andrew –

    If Serena stays away it might be 🙂

    But only if she dumps that tacky red nail polish.

  • Andrew Miller · September 28, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    Serena at her slam a year pace is giving everyone a shot at glory. But only Kerber has shown that she is here to play. Kerber is hands down the biggest or second biggest story of the year. My picks
    1. Djoko wins French
    2. Kerber wins 2 slams
    3. Serena wins Wimbledon
    4. Puig wins Olympics gold
    5. Wawrinka wins us open
    6. Muguruza wins French
    7. The next generation makes its move in the us and internationally

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 28, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    Djokovic is the Player of the Year and The Story but also I think the ban of Sharapova was one of the biggest stories actually – Fed sitting out for half the year was another big story -and of course the excellent progress of the young players in ATP and WTA – Btw Kozlov just lost first set to mmoh 75 and Kozlov is ten feet behind the baseline and mmoh is literally standing on the baseline –

  • Hartt · September 29, 2016 at 8:31 am

    Zverev will play Hopman Cup with Petkovic. He was quoted: “I always love playing for Germany” and went on to say that he loved wearing the German flag on his chest. That should bode well for Germany in future Davis Cup ties.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 29, 2016 at 9:25 am

    Germany has a highly touted teenager coming up too in rudolph molleker who is I believe 16 now – Germany could be a Davis Cup force again – but with Kerber and Zverev Germany is back at it’s highest status since Haas and Kiefer were top ten –

  • catherine bell · September 29, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Madison Keys seems stranded up the Next Big Thing ladder.
    Doesn’t seem to have any stategic sense. Hadn’t a clue how to play future No 1 SH 🙂 Let her camp comfortably in the backcourt.

    Seriously – are there any really promising US junior girls ? Or has the long reign of Serena/Venus sucked ambition out of the game ? Not to mention self-belief.

  • Dan Markowitz · September 29, 2016 at 11:36 am

    Evans is a righty, Scoop, not a lefty.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 29, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    There’s a few US girls – Bellis has looked good but is a little underized – Amanda Anisimova is fifteen but she has created buzz – Kenin is another touted junior though she also is well under six feet – I still like Taylor Townsend –

  • catherine bell · September 29, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    Scoop-

    Don’t believe you have to be enormously tall to be a force in the women’s game. Sometimes it’s a disadvantage.

    Serena’s around 5’9″ – if you see her next to other players and not wearing high heels 🙂

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 29, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    You’re right Catherine but there are a lot of tall ladies now with long wingspans – Being at the tourneys it’s stunning to the eye how big and physical a lot of the WTA players are –

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 29, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    Harrison lost a close three setter to Bernie – proving he is playing top 25 level tennis – Excellent turnaround this year by Harrison –

  • Andrew Miller · September 29, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    Simona is a future slam finalist again. But maybe not. Pliskova really shocked me. Apparently Kvitova wants to make a run. Keys. It’s acceptable actually competitive on the wta again. Kerber pulled a Wawrinka, showed a player doesn’t have to be a flash in the pan.

    Tiburon, any chance to check with Paul at Norcaltenniscsar or give him a guest column? I think he is calling the matches out there.

    Yeah Harry must’ve had his chances versus Tomic. This is the best autumn season ever for Harry. He is pulling a Tispsarevic.

    KAnderson topped Kyrgios. You get the sense he hates tennis. KAnderson I’ve seen practice, stretch cords and all. Works hard.

  • Andrew Miller · September 29, 2016 at 9:58 pm

    Novikov playing good ball too. Maybe he has goals for the tour. I’d think he looks around, feels he’s better than MacMac and the youngsters. Had a nice win on Brian Baker, who is far and away the most solid player out there. By miles.

  • Andrew Miller · September 29, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Did the Koz survive Mmoh?

  • Andrew Miller · September 30, 2016 at 12:48 am

    TT – re: Rios and Kafenikov. To me Kafenikov was extraordinary in terms of his consistency. He had the ability to do more with his backhand than anyone else – Spadea, Agassi, anyone – his backhand was the most “modern” backhand on the tour at the time, anyone – no one had one like it. It was like a magical two-hander. He had better placement on his serve as well, so whereas Agassi could kick it and place it pretty well, Kafelinikov’s serving was that much more accurate. So Rios had less to pick on.

    And I think to some extent it was a little bit of playing himself out there. Kafelnikov was mighty clever and so was Rios, so Kafelnikov rather than being scared probably relished the challenge of putting a W on Rios and beating him at his own game.

  • Andrew Miller · September 30, 2016 at 12:56 am

    Everyone who likes the next generation should read Norcaltennisczar on Tiburon. Paul did an outstanding write up of the Mmoh win and how he beat Shapovalov to get to qualifying then beat Kozlov, and how Ben Becker out-dueled Tommy Paul. Great stuff by the author of that blog.

  • catherine bell · September 30, 2016 at 2:47 am

    Andrew

    Going back a couple of comments – Kvitova looks the wrong shape for an athlete – can’t seem to keep a coach – Simona will have no problem with her. Simona’s big problem is the GSs.

    Keys – on last few matches I can’t see the improvement we should expect by now.

    So – overall WTA hasn’t changed and structure of the women’s game is pretty much the pattern it’s always been, with a few name changes over the years.

    ATP has more in the mix. Don’t think Kyrgios hates tennis – he’s immature and confused. If he hated it that much he’d stop. I’ve never entirely believed some of Agassi’s comments BTW. Hindsight is a great thing.

  • Hartt · September 30, 2016 at 6:23 am

    Regarding Kvitova, if she plays as well as she did against Kerber (who played a very strong match) I think she could beat Halep. It mainly depends on whether Good Petra or Bad Petra shows up and there is no way to predict that. But Petra at her best can be next to unbeatable.

    As for Kyrgios, agree that he is immature and confused. I think it was Billie Jean King who said his first priority should be to get himself straightened out, irregardless of his tennis.

    If Nick does not hate tennis as much as he claims he certainly does not love it. Most top players do love the sport, which is why I don’t expect Nick to maximize his amazing talent. I can understand why he does not quit. What else could he do that would bring him the kind of $ and attention he gets from tennis? For all his talk about playing pro basketball that ship has sailed.

  • catherine bell · September 30, 2016 at 8:41 am

    Well I got that one wrong didn’t I ?

    Apologies to Petra 🙂 Now let’s see that again.

    Hartt: sometimes people, particularly young men, don’t always express what they really feel.

    And having said that, of course we can’t possibly know what’s going on in anyone else’s mind can we, whether they’re in the public eye or not.

    BJK’s comment makes me laugh a bit – she played at her best when her own life was a shambles.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 30, 2016 at 8:42 am

    No Mmoh beat Kozlov 75 64 which is the same score he beat Koz in CA earlier this year – He has the tactics to beat Koz – hug baseline and attack fh corner then bh corner with patience -Koz was too far back behind baseline just counterpunching – Koz saved a lot of break points but crumbled eventually –

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 30, 2016 at 8:45 am

    Andrew: A lot of players got up for Rios – Rios was an aloof arrogant guy and the players had extra incentive to kick his ass – Kafelnikov was just too good too big and too strong for Rios – How Kafelniov is not in Newport is an injustice – just got the ballot this week and it’s Roddick and Clijters – Pierce and Kafelnikov should be on the ballot too –

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 30, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Andrew: I enjoy Paul B’s norcaltenniczar work too – excellent tennis writing –

  • Hartt · September 30, 2016 at 9:12 am

    Catherine, I did not see Kvitova’s match against Halep but the score, plus comments I read, suggest that “Good” Petra showed up. If she also shows up against Cibi I think she will win that match as well. If “Bad” Petra shows up it is a whole different story.

    BJK’s comment about Nick was actually very sympathetic; she definitely wanted the best for him. And thinking it over I began to agree with her. If Nick is as confused and unhappy as he appears then dealing with his issues needs to be a priority.

  • catherine bell · September 30, 2016 at 9:40 am

    Hartt –

    I think BJK felt, as did Martina on occasion, that the tennis court could act as a refuge from the turmoil outside.
    Maybe Nick might find an outlet that way, with a bit of guidance.

    I tend to feel sympathetic to young people, remembering how difficult it can be juggling so many aspects of life let alone playing top flight tennis.

    I didn’t see Halep/Kvitova either (saw comments) but I didn’t honestly feel I had to. Simona’s vulnerable to any opponent who has the potential to just blow her away and that’s what happened. You can combat power with a sophisticated game but Simona doesn’t have that – whether she can develop it who knows?

    Petra’s career reminds me of the title of one of Ian Botham’s (Brit cricketer)books: ‘It sort of clicks’.
    Or doesn’t 🙂

  • Hartt · September 30, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    Catherine, regarding Kvitova, I love “It sort of clicks.” Or doesn’t. Yes, that is Petra. I did finally see highlights of her match with Halep. Simona did not have much of a chance and by the end of the 2nd set seemed resigned to her fate. “Good” Petra was in full flight, with those amazing angled shots that she does, as well as several fine drop shots. And of course there was the power.

    I got the impression that Billie Jean thought Kyrgios should even stop playing tennis for a while if that would help him resolve his issues. But, as you said, who knows what really goes on in another person’s head. I am not heavily invested in Nick, am more of a fan of Thiem, Pouille, and even younger players like Zverev and Fritz. Of that group have been very impressed with Zverev the Younger.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 30, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    Speaking of Next Gen – Coric is getting knee surgery – Ivo will replace Coric for the Davis Cup final – Kvitova has the goods and surely can be no 1 and perhaps her seeing Kerber now at no 1 has given her an extra incentive –

  • Andrew Miller · September 30, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Kafelnikov should be Hall of Fame 1st ballot! That is awful he isn’t. Dumb.

    Watch ivo!

  • catherine bell · September 30, 2016 at 1:28 pm

    Hartt –

    Petra was in what used to be called ‘the zone’ – still is for all I know. Just an unfathomable combination of physical and mental activity in the brain, stimulated by exceptional circumstances.

    I saw some clips of Halep/Kvitova and Simona didn’t seem to have an original idea. As if all her coaching has gone for nothing. Very disappointing.
    She must have come away from that match feeling an
    enormous gulf between her ambitions and the actuality.

    As far as players go, I don’t really follow anyone in particular, just the odd one who interests me from time to time. Certainly not a ‘fan’ – that angle comes from being involved professionally in the past. You have to view the whole picture.

  • Hartt · September 30, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    I don’t know enough about Kafelnikov to have an opinion about his inclusion in the Hall of Fame. But in his weekly “Mailbag” Jon Wertheim has a lengthy piece that gives a different perspective.

    Wertheim says that if judged strictly by his achievements Kafelnikov deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. But he feels there is also the “citizenship component.” He talks about several criteria: did the player make a positive impact on the culture of the sport; did the player respect the sport; did they have the comportment and professionalism worthy of enshrinement? Also did they have the respect of their peers?

    Wertheim wrote that Kafelnikov did not meet these criteria and gave several examples of this. One was tanking matches; one tournament director even refused to pay the guarantee because he said he would not pay for no work. Apparently Kafelnikov was known as “Dr. No” because he automatically refused all requests, such as sitting for interviews. Wertheim gives a couple other examples of the player’s lack of tennis “citizenship.”

    Of course whether you agree with his assessment largely depends on whether you accept the idea of tennis “citizenship.” If there is an extreme lack of this citizenship I would be inclined to say a player does not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

  • Scoop Malinowski · September 30, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Kvitova is one of those rare lethal talents that when she is ON she can just blast great players off the court – Safin Flipper Soderling Delpo also have/had this capacity – I saw Pioline do it too once in Monte Carlo the year he won the title there –

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