Alexander Zverev has done heavy lifting to strengthen his body.
The 20-year-old German is ready to hoist his first Grand Slam title trophy at the US Open, says ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert.
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In a conference call with the media to promote the network's US Open coverage, which begins on Monday on ESPN, Gilbert said despite the fact Zverev has won just one match in two Flushing Meadows appearances, he's ready for a major breakthrough in New York.
"He's never made it past the round of 16 (in a Grand Slam), but I do think that Zverev is ready to win a major," Gilbert told the media. "I think he's that capable. So he would probably be my second choice. If Fed is healthy, he's my first choice, and I would say Zverev is my second favorite to win the tournament."
Zverev produced his best Grand Slam result at Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round of a major for the first time where he bowed to 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic in five sets.
The sixth-ranked Zverev has posted a 10-1 record on North American hard courts this summer, including back-to-back titles in Washington, DC and Montreal, where he defeated Roger Federer in the final.
Gilbert said the back strain Federer seemed to suffer in that Montreal final may well make him more vulnerable in New York. The former coach of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray says he rates Zverev as a better bet to win the US Open than world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who is seeking his first hard-court title since the 2014 Doha.
"Before Montreal I would have told you (Federer) was a huge favorite to win the Open based upon what I saw from him in Indian Wells, Miami and Wimbledon, and I would have said a huge favorite," Gilbert said. "But then all of a sudden, maybe now with the back issue and it's almost like you have to see him for the first couple of rounds, and I actually think now that will give a little hope to the rest of the field and the draw."
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