Alexander Zverev just 20 years old, but ATP finals are becoming commonplace for him. Kevin Anderson is 29, but for him a title-match appearance must feel like something new.
Both players booked their spot on championship Sunday afternoon at the Citi Open by getting the job done in routine semifinal clashes on Saturday. Zverev took care of Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, while Anderson ousted Jack Sock by the exact same scoreline.
Nishikori was coming off a three-set thriller against Tommy Paul in which the Japanese star saved three match points, and he did not have much left in the tank for his next match. Zverev took advantage, dominating the first three games while losing only one point in the process. He never looked back, advancing to the last four in just one hour and four minutes.
“I played a great match,” Zverev assured. “I played well from the baseline. I returned pretty well…. I was holding serve quite comfortably, so I’m happy with how I played.”
Anderson likely feels the same way. The 6’8” South African had no trouble with Sock, prevailing in one hour and 29 minutes after firing 12 aces and holding all 10 if his service games (fought off five break points). Sock, on the other hand, ran into plenty of trouble with both Anderson and the conditions. The 19th-ranked American blasted the state of Washington, D.C.’s stadium court following his loss.
“Pretty shocking tennis court,” Sock suggested. “I don’t think I’ll be back at this tournament probably in the future. It’s probably the worst court of the year. Speed, bounces, everything. It’s pretty shocking.”
Anderson is through to his 12th career ATP final but first since Winston-Salem in the summer of 2015. Zverev has already played in four finals this season, winning three–including the Masters 1000 event in Rome.
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