ATP professional circuit has acquired a brand new ruler of the game in the person of Alexander Zverev. The 20-year-old German has risen to the world No. 7 slot after winning Rogers Cup in Montreal at the end of a perfect week for him. Beating his childhood idol Roger Federer in the final was the cherry on top as he can now pose a threat for the US Open too. It was his second title in a row after winning City Open two weeks ago. A solid start on North American cement and the question is whether or not he can sustain the momentum entering Southern&Western Open in Cincinnati.
It would be a shame to cut loss such an opportunity, now that half of the top 10 names won't be in the main draw. And Federer can thicken the lines of the injured ones due to what is seems to be a back-related health problem. That would give Zverev even more room in the main draw.
Zverev shares draw with Federer, Raonic, Berdych, and Isner
Achieving a career high of world No. 7 this week, Zverev was seeded fourth in Cincinnati. He and Federer are making the headlines of the bottom half of the draw, but the 36-year-old Swiss may pull the plug in order to be fit for the 2017 US Open. That would live Zverev with a favorable draw and an easier path towards the higher stages. He received a bye in the round of 64 and in the second round he will face the winner of Frances Tiafoe vs.
Maximilian Marterer. If he reaches the third round, Zverev may see his path crossing with John Isner, 2013 Cincinnati runner-up and a player who is able to produce some great tennis on this particular surface. The quarterfinals could put Milos Raonic on the other side of the net. Their most recent meeting took place at Wimbledon, and it was the 26-year-old Candian who won edged Zverev for a place in the last eight stages.
The semis may bring Federer, Dimitrov and even Tomas Berdych as an opponent for the young German star.
Alexander Zverev is yet to confirm at Grand Slam tournaments
Despite winning his fifth title of the season in Montreal, Alexander Zverev's current season lacks some luster when it comes to Grand Slam Tournaments, those that really matter and survive in time.
In 2017, he had a little impact on these events. Back in January, he lost to Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Australian Open. Then, at the French Open, while still celebrating his first Masters 1000 title in Rome he was given a sharp correction in the opening round as Fernando Verdasco got past him in four sets. Finally, at Wimbledon, he came short to Milos Raonic. Thus, the upcoming US Open might be the place where the biggest breakthrough of his career could happen.
