Alexander Zverev wins fifth tournament in 2021: ‘I can compete for any title’
Alexander Zverev continued his fine form to defeat Frances Tiafoe and lift the trophy at Eerste Bank Open, clinching his fifth title in 2021.
Zverev served excellently throughout the final, winning 80% (37/46) of first serve points and dictated from the baseline with his formidable forehand, securing a 7-5, 6-4 victory in one hour and 36 minutes.
“He didn’t let me play the way I wanted to play, tactically he was very good,” Zverev said. “But I am happy with the win and I am happy with my fifth title of the year and I am happy with my first in Vienna, so it was a good day.”
The German holds a 25-2 record since exiting Wimbledon in the last 16, with Zverev adding that winning gold at Tokyo Olympics done the world of good for his confidence.
“I think the Olympics gave me a lot of confidence and I believe I can compete for any title that I play in,” Zverev added. “I am happy with the form I am in but I have got two more massive weeks ahead of me and I hope I can do well.”
Frances Tiafoe enjoyed a superb run to today’s final, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas, Diego Schwartzman and Jannik Sinner, however the American insisted he knew he was capable of producing performances like this.
“I knew I was capable of a week like this,” Tiafoe said. “It is not easy to beat good player after good player. These guys are so good. To have a week like this and know you can do it and not just beat one top player but three great guys is great.”
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