ATP Paris: Daniil Medvedev overpowers Alexander Zverev to claim title

Standing without a title since Shanghai last year, Daniil Medvedev finally claimed the first trophy of the season in Paris, beating Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and seven minutes. It is the third Masters 1000 title for the Russian, saving the season and moving ahead of Roger Federer to become world no. 4. Medvedev had 35 winners and 25 unforced errors, overpowering the German in the mid-range and most extended exchanges to erase a slow start and claim the trophy. Medvedev had more winners and unforced errors in the opening set, although it wasn't enough to keep him safe after losing edge in the shortest rallies. Zverev never faced a break point, delivering a late return game to claim the opener 7-5 and move closer to the finish line. The German closed the opening game with a service winner, with the Russian firing an unreturned serve in game two to get his name on the scoreboard.

Alexander grabbed the third game at love with a smash winner, followed by Medvedev who landed an ace down the T line to level the score at 2-2. The German forced an error from the opponent to grab the fifth game, serving well so far and hoping for a chance on the return. Instead of that, Daniil hit a service winner to wrap up the sixth game and lock the result at 3-3 after swift 17 minutes. Alexander overcame two deuces in the seventh game for a hold and another lead, denied by an ace from Medvedev who was there to fight. The German secured a comfortable hold in game nine, forcing the Russian to serve for staying in the set.

Daniil Medvedev claimed the third Masters 1000 title over Alexander Zverev.

With no sign of nerves, Daniil held at 15 in game ten to extend the set, serving again at 5-6. This time, Alexander found the range on the return, securing a break when Medvedev sprayed a forehand error to take the opener 7-5 after 42 minutes.

The Russian raised his level in set number two, dropping four points behind the initial shot in five service games and challenging the German to follow those numbers to stay in touch. Medvedev had 14 winners and eight unforced errors, wasting four break chances in the third game to keep Zverev alive. At 4-4, Daniil forced a mistake from Alexander to grab a break, holding at love to seal the deal and force a decider. With momentum on his side, the Russian saved all four break chances in the final set, securing three breaks to leave the German behind and claim the title. Alexander netted a volley to suffer a break in the opening game, squandering those four break chances in game two and never standing an opportunity by the end of the encounter. Daniil secured another break in game three to extend the advantage, moving over the top with a return game at 5-1 following Alexander's double fault to celebrate the title.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UcQ48J