Alexander Zverev reveals Carlos Alcaraz gave him some tips on how to play against Daniil Medvedev before his win over the Russian at the Cincinnati Masters. Last week, Zverev and Alcaraz met on a golf course during the Toronto Masters. During their golf session, Zverev asked Alcaraz for some tips on how to play against Medvedev. This Thursday, Zverev met Medvedev at the Cincinnati Masters and won their round-of-16 meeting with a 6-4 5-7 6-4 result. This year, Alcaraz beat Medvedev twice – in the Indian Wells final 6-3 6-2 and in the Wimbledon semifinal 6-3 6-3 6-3.
Zverev on how Alcaraz helped him beat Medvedev
“Against him playing slowly is not a bad tactic. I played golf with Carlos Alcaraz last week in Toronto. He gave me a very good game plan against him actually. I asked him a few questions. That was quite helpful. But at the end of the day I did what I had to do. I kind of fought it out and I’m happy to be sitting here as winner,” Zverev said on Tennis Channel.
Zverev earned the first break of the match in the seventh game and then held on to his service for the remainder of the first set to clinch the opener. In the second set, Medvedev earned his first break in the sixth game but got broken back immediately in the following game. In the 12th game – when Zverev was serving to stay in the second set – Medvedev broke the German to win the set and force a decider. In the third set, Zverev saved two break points in the eighth game to tie the set to four games apiece. After saving two break points, Zverev collected the first break of the set in the ninth game for a 5-4 lead. In the 10th game, Zverev served out for a three-set win over Medvedev. For Zverev, this was his first win over Medvedev in 2023. Earlier this year, Zverev was beaten by Medvedev at the Masters events in Indian Wells, Monte Carlo and Rome.