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Sascha Zverev's Grand Slam problem

Germany's Alexander Zverev returns a shot against Russia's Karen Khachanov during their fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, June 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Expert
10th July, 2018
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At the age of 20, Alexander Zverev had risen to number three in the world. He had picked up two Masters titles, defeating the mighty Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in both of those finals.

He was tipped for greatness, but that success had not translated into results at Grand Slams.

On Saturday that misery continued, as the German slumped to a third-round defeat against a qualifier – world number 138 Ernests Gulbis at Wimbledon.

So why has Sascha been able to enjoy so much success in best of three sets, where he has won eight titles in his fledgling career, and so little in best of five?

Despite Zverev only reaching a Grand Slam quarter-final once in 13 attempts, strategy expert Craig O’Shannessy says things will turn around eventually for this prodigious talent.

“Because he has had so much success in Masters events, the expectations for him are very high,” O’Shannessy says.

“But sometimes it takes longer for players to enjoy that success at grand slams too. His time will come, there is no doubt about that.

“I do not think there is a definite answer as to why he is better in the best of three format than in best of five.

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“He is a superb athlete and he won several five-setters in a row in France, so his fitness is there.

“It does not matter if the breakthrough comes in 2018, 2019 or 2020, he will definitely be a contender and will have a crack at many Grand Slams.”

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Defeats have included losses to lower ranked players, such as Dan Evans, Borna Coric, Fernando Verdasco, Hyeon Chung and now Gulbis. All good players, but ones he should not be losing to.

“He can tend to play a little too far back, particularly when he is on the forehand side. He tends to be less comfortable there in comparison to the backhand,” O’Shannessy says.

“When he starts running into long matches in the first week that is when trouble kicks in. It takes your energy away.

“He needs to figure out a way to minimise the five-set drama, maybe be more aggressive and stand closer to the baseline so that he can be fresher for the second week.”

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Zverev is not the only player to break through later than predicted.

The great Roger Federer fell in Round 1 on six occasions and only made it to the quarter-final stage of a Slam twice from 16 attempts – so all is not lost for the 6’6″ right hander.

But questions will be asked of the 21-year-old if he continues to fall short.

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