Zverev before Shanghai: "That match against Federer in 2019, I will never forget it"
Shanghai, October 11, 2019. An incandescent quarterfinal between two generations, two visions of the game. On one side, Roger Federer, the untouchable icon. On the other, Alexander Zverev, still searching for consistency, but driven by a fierce ambition. That day, on the hard court of the Chinese Masters 1000, the young German made a big statement.
"The first memory that comes to my mind is the match against Roger Federer in the quarterfinals in 2019. That day was really special because of the way I played," confided Zverev, now 28 years old, on the eve of a new tournament in China.
A simple phrase, but one heavy with meaning. Because this match, won by Zverev (6-3, 6-7, 6-3), remains to this day one of the most complete of his career, both mentally and tennis-wise. Pitting Federer, the master of tempo and fluidity, against Zverev, a proponent of powerful baseline play and an authoritative serve, promised sparks.
Zverev, often criticized for his lapses in concentration, delivered a very fine performance. Calm, precise. He managed to make Federer doubt himself in the key moments, particularly in the third set, where he broke early before holding on until the end.
"I'm sure there are still many people who remember it. I know I can really play well here," he concluded.
