Citi Open, D.C. (USA)
Men’s Final: [3] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. [72] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Zverev successfully defended his Citi Open title; however, to do so he had to defeat two consecutive NextGen teenage stars. Interestingly, the score line was identical for both matches. A completely easy first set was followed by a bit more resistance from the opponents. There was no lack of confidence on either side of the net in both matches; however, Zverev simply had more weapons at his disposal.
Perhaps the teenager was running low on energy after his long and arduous match against Andrey Rublev in the semifinal last night; yet, he competed the best he could considering his probable level of fatigue.
There was never any real threat for the German. Despite the double faults, it was more likely his enthusiastic desire to go big on his second serves that caused the errors. Zverev won 6-2, 6-4 and will retain his number three status in the rankings.
Women’s Final: [44] Donna Vekic (CRO) vs. [128] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Once a staple in the top ten, Kuznetsova’s ranking has dipped outside of the top hundred due to a series of injuries. To complicate the issue, she is not getting any younger and the motivation to fight has been at times non-existent.
Despite her previous ranking, Kuznetsova’s confidence is shaky and it showed up today as she contested her first final since the 2017 Indian Wells final. Kuznetsova fought off four championship points in the second set and won the tiebreak to force a deciding set. Vekic could not fight through her nerves and perhaps an injury and she never regrouped in the decider.
Kuznetsova broke early in the third set and served for the match at 5-1; however, Vekic gave one last push to retrieve one of the breaks. Unfortunately she could not hold on to her serve and Kuznetsova won 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 to claim her first title since the Sydney title in 2016.
SOURCE OF IMAGES: Zimbio.com (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Europe: Alexander Zverev; Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe: Svetlana Kuznetsova)
