By Erik Gudris | Sunday, February 12, 2017
19-year-old Alexander Zverev claimed his second career ATP title by ending the two-year reign of defending champion Richard Gasquet.
Photo Credit: Open Sud de France
19-year-old Alexander Zverev continued his status of “one to watch” by earning his second career ATP title at the Open Sud de France event in Monpellier, France over two-time defending champion Richard Gasquet.
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Very little separated Gasquet and Zverev competing in Sunday’s final in a first time meeting for both. This included their rakings with Zverev (World No. 21) ranked a spot higher than Gasquet (World No. 22).
Zverev enjoyed a strong start by breaking Gasquet in the Frenchman’s opening service game. Yet Gasquet, who won the event three times including back to back in 2015 and 2016, was not ready to hand his title over without a fight.
By forcing Zverev to hit several forehand errors, Gasquet managed to get the service break back later in the set for 2-all.
Zverev soon became increasingly frustrated that he was unable to continue dictating from the backcourt as he had at the start of the match. With both players enjoying winning 86% of their first serve points, an inevitable tiebreak was needed to decide the set.
Zverev, with a stinging forehand winner backed up by several strong serves, allowed him to open an early lead in the tiebreak. Gasquet tried to close the gap but couldn’t hold off Zverev eventually taking the tiebreak 7-6(4).
The second set started out much as the first set did with each player trying to control proceedings from the baseline.
Zverev however ended up taking his shots inside the baseline as Gasquet receeded further back behind the baseline in defensive mode. With Gasquet trying to keep up with his younger opponent, it was Zverev who finally earned the pivotal service break.
Gasquet faced two break points while serving down 3-4. The Frenchman later sent a forehand just wide that handed Zverev the break for 5-3.
Zverev leapt out to a 40-0 lead in the next game and thus held three match points. He squandered all three with several loose errors but gained a fourth match point thanks to an ace.
Zverev unleashd one last strong serve that Gasquet couldn’t handle to seal the 7-6(4), 6-3 victory.
Zverev hit 32 winners and 32 unforced errors compared to 17 winners and 24 unforced from Gasquet.
Montpellier is the second career ATP title for Zverev who is projected to rise inside the ATP top 20 next week.