Zverev-Shelton: the new king of the US Open succeeds Alcaraz and Sinner in New York
The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz and the italian Jannik Sinner They have won ten of the last eleven Grand Slam titles played, including two US Opens. The exception to this domain is German Alexander Zverevwhich broke the duopoly at the last Roland Garros. “I always believed in myself, not so much you (media). Everyone wondered if Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz They would play the finals of the four Grand Slams of the year. A legitimate question about what is happening, but this is behind me and I once again have another great opportunity,” said Sascha, 29 years old and world No. 2.
Today, Sunday, at 8:00 p.m., he will play his sixth Grand Slam final, third in a row. He inaugurated his record in Paris, Sinner crossed his path in London. Without a trace of the transalpine, the defense of the crown of Carlos Alcaraz ended up at the hands of the American Ben Sheltonwho debuts in the Grand Slam final, at 23 years old, being a number 9 who will be fourth tomorrow.
Europe vs. USA. Old Continent tennis has dominated the last 66 men’s singles titles in the top category. A series born from the triumph of the Argentine Juan Martin del Potro about the swiss Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open. The drought of American tennis is greater, which must look until 2003 to see Andy Roddick in the Grand Slam record, in his tournament.
The other local historical reference is Arthur Ashe, the only black champion in Flushing Meadows, where he gives his name to the main stadium that will gather 23,000 spectators this afternoon.
A fan factor that does not worry Zverev, who recalled that it was more unpleasant to have played in the 2020 final, which he lost to the Austrian Dominic Thiemwithout public due to the coronavirus. “I am used to competing with local players. I have played several times against Frenchmen in Paris-Bercy, the worst crowd for a foreign rival.”
He wants to repeat the conquest of his German compatriot Boris Becker in the 1989 edition.
The lefty Ben Shelton He will have massive popular support in New York, although this also translates into extra pressure that is not always easy to handle, especially in a debut. “The nerves are always there, but for me they are the same in the first round as in a final or semi-final. You have to manage them,” means the recent winner of the Montréal ATP Masters 1000.
Shelton believes that “I see more reasons to have fun. I’m playing against the first seed in the tournament, a Grand Slam champion. It’s my first final, I want to push myself to the limit. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The balance between them is 5-0 for Zverev, although there is no recent record of the season. Bryan SheltonBen’s father and coach, insists that his son has changed. “He has matured and is more disciplined on the court, he knows how to suffer in the baseline game,” he says.
“It’s all power,” says Zverev of his opponent, who smashes the ball with every shot, especially with the serve. Shelton’s natural aggressiveness will deal with the greater coldness in the German’s calculation, who would look at No. 1, in a few weeks, if he wins the match.
