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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday March 20, 2021

 
Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev overcame a slow start to edge Stefanos Tsitsipas in a dramatic final on Saturday in Acapulco.

Photo Source: Abierto Telcel

Alexander Zverev is back in the winner’s circle. The German notched his 14th career title on Saturday, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(3) in a wild tussle that was way more tense than the scoreline would indicate.

Tennis Express

“I always said that this is a tournament that I definitely want to win in my career,” said Zverev. “I came here with a goal and I achieved that, and I’m very happy with that and now I’m looking forward to Miami.”

Zverev was down 1-4 in the opening set and faced three break points to go down a double-break, be survived, ramped up his game, and stormed past Tsitsipas by taking the final five games of the set to take it in style.

“In the beginning I started off extremely bad I thought,” said Zverev. “I didn’t play well at all, and I kind of fought my way back into the match.”

The second set was also wild. The German had the lead and served for the championship at 5-4, but Tsitsipas saved a match point at 40-30 and later broke on his second break point of the game to level at 5-all.


In the next game the Greek saved six break points and held to lead 6-5, but Zverev never quit, even if he was wobbling at times. He held serve to get to the tiebreaker and then sealed the title with a final push.

“Obviously in the second set when I have the chance, I need to close it out against those top players, they will not give you a second chance,” Zverev said. “I thought I played extremely well in the tiebreak and happy with how it went."

He converted his third championship point and dropped to the court on his back before rising to give the Greek a hug. Tsitsipas had won five consecutive matches against Zverev, but he didn’t capitalize on his opportunities on Saturday, despite playing very strong tennis in a losing effort. The record now stands at 5-2 in favor of Tsitsipas.

“I take this week very positively, I think it’s great being able to play at such intensity and level,” Tsitsipas said. “I was very close once again to clinch and get that title, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Tsitsipas was bidding for his sixth career title and his first at the ATP 500 level, but he’ll have to pick up the pieces and head to Miami to play the first Masters 1000 of the season.

He told reporters he’s in a better frame of mind after playing a really solid week of tennis to reach the final.

“I was a little bit sad and down a few weeks ago before coming here,” he said. “I’m happy that I get to feel so relieved and so refreshed after such an incredible route to the final.”

Zverev has now won titles in each of the last six years, and he’s one of just four players to currently have a streak that long on the ATP Tour. The 23-year-old improves to 12-3 lifetime at Acapulco and 261-129 overall.

 

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