ss

Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev H2H Prediction: Madrid Open 2022 Finals Showdown

Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev: Madrid Open 2022 Preview

The Madrid Open draws to a conclusion on Sunday evening, as the Men's Singles Final takes centre stage with Carlos Alcaraz taking on the 2-time Madrid Open Champion, Alexander Zverev.

What Carlos Alcaraz has achieved at the age of just 19, most teenagers just dream of it. Defeating both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same clay-court tournament is a feat that very few players have been able to achieve. 

This has also extended his record of winning streaks over top 10 opponents to six.

Alcaraz vs Zverev: Road to the Madrid Open Final

After prevailing over Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals in a tense three-setter, the teenager did the same against Djokovic in yesterday’s semifinals. 

The first set saw both Djokovic and Alcaraz lock horns and bruise each other with their forehands and each of their retaliation was emphatic. 

The eighth game saw Djokovic win 21 successive points on serve and reclaim a breakpoint. He carried that same intensity into the first tie-break of the match, taking a 5-1 lead that was irrefutable.

An intriguing second set also seemed destined for a tie-break as neither player was ready to drop their guard. Alcaraz drew Djokovic forward quite frequently which proved helpful in winning the set point.

Alcaraz continued his dominant stature against Djokovic, with the World No. 1 fending off break points in three of his serve points.

The World No. 6 let a match point slip at 5-5 as Djokovic continued firing at big moments. But in the end the Spaniard held firm for a triumph over the World No. 1

In the other semi-finals, avenging a Monte Carlo semi-final loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas with a three-set victory was German Alexander Zverev. 

Following a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, victory over the Greek, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the World No. 3 is now aiming to complete his Madrid title defence against the young Spanish bull, Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev is also holding five current crowns, the most out of any active player outside the Big 4.

Zverev took advantage on his first two break points to set him on the path to his 10th ATP Masters 1000 final. 

"I thought from yesterday onward I started to play really well," said Zverev, who beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Friday. "I’m just extremely happy to be in the final here. I know it's going to be an extremely tough match tomorrow but I hope I can manage to play my best and give myself a chance.”

After Tsitsipas took the second set with a breakpoint let in the game, the World No. 3 changed the tide in the following set, breaking his opponent at 4-2 before closing the match with a third break in an hour.

Zverev also improved his head to head record against Tsitsipas with 4-7. This also happens to be his win on clay against him.

The two-time Madrid champion (2018, 2021) is now 8-1 against Top 10 opponents in the Spanish capital, where his overall record is a pristine 19-2. Credits ATP.com

Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest finalist in the history of the Madrid Open. He will be aiming for his fourth title of the year.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev: Head to Head

Alexander Zverev has a 2-0 lead against Carlos Alcaraz, both having been won on hard courts. 

This will be their first clay-court meeting with both players on their top forms.

Zverev will have to keep his double faults in check if he wants to defend his title, as the Spanish has already taken down two of the best servers on the tour.

Madrid Open 2022 Final Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to win in three sets against Alexander Zverev

Leave a Reply