Alexander Zverev ended the 2021 season on a high as he defeated last year’s champion Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the ATP Finals in Turin on Sunday.
The German defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals and backed that up against Medvedev in an impressive performance.
ALSO READ: Novak Djokovic may not defend Australian Open
“It is special, and I am super thrilled and happy right now,” Zverev added. “There is no better way to end the season than winning here.”
Even the dog gets amongst the celebrations 🐶 😂 @AlexZverev #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/za2h6Je1zt
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 21, 2021
Zverev has now earned a tour-leading 59 victories this season and has snapped a five-match losing streak against Medvedev, levelling their head-to-head at 6-6.
Upgrade your serve with our FREE guide
Since the start of the Tokyo Olympics, Zverev has played the best tennis of his career, winning 32 of his 36 matches to close his season. He earned the singles gold medal in Tokyo, his fifth ATP Masters 1000 crown in Cincinnati and his second ATP Finals trophy.
Of his four losses during that stretch, three have come against Djokovic (1) and Medvedev (2).
ALSO READ: UN asks China proof of missing tennis star Peng Shuai’s whereabouts
The past two days have shown that when the German is firing, there are no holes in his game.
Zverev outplayed Djokovic from the baseline in Saturday’s semi-finals and out served Medvedev in Sunday’s championship clash.
ALSO READ: Roger Federer not expected to be back by Wimbledon 2022
“It’s tough to say, maybe some tiredness of the body, maybe mentally I wasn’t 100 per cent,” said Medvedev, who won his first Grand Slam at the US Open in September.
“Not that I didn’t want to be, but definitely something was missing. I don’t have the answer, but it made the difference. We can talk about many things, but the serve was definitely the key today, and he was better.”
ALSO READ: Daniil Medvedev fumes at ball boys during ATP Finals opener
In spite of the loss, Medvedev will finish 2021 at No. 2 in the rankings, having compiled a 58-13 match record and lifted four trophies.
