In a thrilling showdown at the Chengdu Open, Alexander Zverev claimed his second title of the 2023 season, defeating Roman Safiullin in a hard-fought three-set battle. The victory not only added another trophy to Zverev’s collection but also significantly boosted his chances of securing a spot in the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. With this win, Zverev climbed to seventh place in the Race to Turin standings, surpassing Holger Rune.
Zverev’s path to victory was far from straightforward. He found himself trailing by a set and a break early in the match, creating a challenging situation. Safiullin, his opponent, was no pushover, and the Russian player showcased his resilience by saving three set points in the opening set. This tenacity allowed Safiullin to clinch the first set by winning the tie-break.
In the second set, Safiullin continued to impress, fending off break points and breaking Zverev’s serve to take a 2-0 lead. However, Zverev quickly regained his composure, managing to level the set at 2-2. From that point onward, the match saw no further breaks, and the second set culminated in a tense tie-break. Zverev demonstrated his mental fortitude, winning two crucial points in a row from 5-5, thus leveling the contest and setting the stage for an exciting third set.
With the momentum swinging in his favor, Zverev struck early in the deciding set, securing a critical break to lead 3-1. This break ultimately proved to be the turning point in the match, as Zverev maintained his advantage and closed out the match with a love hold, securing a well-deserved victory at the Chengdu Open.
Meanwhile, in the final of the Zhuhai Championships, Karen Khachanov celebrated a remarkable comeback as he clinched his first title since 2018. Facing off against Yoshihito Nishioka, Khachanov exhibited his resilience and determination. Having been sidelined due to injury, this tournament marked only his second appearance since making it to the quarter-finals of the French Open earlier in the year.
The final match against Nishioka was far from one-sided. The first set saw both players trading breaks of serve, creating a closely contested battle. Khachanov, however, managed to pull ahead during the tie-break, winning six consecutive points and securing the first set.
The second set proved to be in Khachanov’s complete control, as he broke Nishioka’s serve twice, establishing a commanding lead. He eventually sealed the victory with a powerful forehand winner, marking an impressive return to the winner’s circle after a long title drought.
For both Zverev and Khachanov, these victories serve as significant milestones in their careers, and they will undoubtedly look to build on this success as the season progresses.
