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Zverev Medvedev Paris Final
Alexander Zverev, ATP Tennis Players, Daniil Medvedev, Tennis News

Paris Masters final preview: Zverev v Medvedev


The final has been set and there will be a new champion this year in Paris. On Saturday, Alexander Zverev came through against Rafael Nadal, who had struggled to find any rhythm all week, whilst Daniil Medvedev fought well to beat Milos Raonic and reach his first final in over a year.

With two title wins in October, and on a 12-match winning streak, Zverev is one of the tour’s most in-form players, whilst Medvedev has had a somewhat disappointing season highlighted by two semi-final runs; at the ATP Cup and the US Open.

Only one man can pick up their first Paris Masters title on Sunday. Will Zverev’s hot streak continue, or will Medvedev turn his season around at the death?

 

Alexander Zverev (4) v Daniil Medvedev (4)

 

Zverev’s route:

R64: Bye

R32: d. Miomir Kecmanovic, 6-2 6-2

R16: d. Adrian Mannarino, 7-6(11) 6-7(7) 6-4

QF: d. Stan Wawrinka (12), 6-3 7-6(1)

SF: d. Rafael Nadal (1), 6-4 7-5

 

Medvedev’s route:

R64: Bye

R32: d. Kevin Anderson, 6-6 w/o

R16: d. Alex de Minaur (16), 5-7 6-2 6-2

QF: d. Diego Schwartzman (6), 6-3 6-1

SF: d. Milos Raonic (10), 6-4 7-6(4)

 

Zverev and Medvedev have met six times before, with the German holding a commanding 5-1 advantage. Their last meeting was on indoor hardcourts at the 2019 ATP Finals, which Zverev won 6-4 7-6(4) but Medvedev headed to London last year struggling for form and energy following an incredible run of form that saw him reach six consecutive finals from August to October.

The sixth of those finals was in Shanghai, where Medvedev took on Zverev for the title, and he won convincingly, 6-4 6-1. It was his second win from three Masters 1000 finals played overall, whilst Zverev has won three and lost three, although his last win came two and a half years ago in Madrid.

With his 12-match winning streak, all on indoor hardcourts, and a 5-1 head-to-head record, Zverev has to be the favourite. Scalps he has taken over the past few weeks include Felix Auger-Aliassime, Diego Schwartzman, and here is Paris, Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal. He has found some great consistency on serve, avoiding the double faults that have plagued him in the past, and there is a focus on court that suggests he is ready to build on that breakthrough run to the US Open final back in September.

Medvedev is perfectly capable of beating Zverev in a Masters 1000 final – he proved that last year – but it has been a long time since he has lifted any silverware and he may have forgotten how to cross the line. On the other hand, having not reached this stage of a tournament in over twelve months, he may be the hungrier and more determined of the two. Form, however, takes priority over speculation, and so…

Prediction: Zverev

 


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.