After defeating Holger Rune in straight sets to secure his place in the Paris Masters final, Alexander Zverev acknowledged that he set his goals on defeating Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
In one hour and forty-seven minutes, Zverev defeated 2022 champion Rune 6-3, 7-6(4) to advance to his first hard-court final of the year.
One break appeared to be sufficient in the second set as well, but the world number three was unable to serve out the match when leading 5-4. The German broke in the fourth game of the opening set and saved two break points in the fifth to win the opener.
He lost to Daniil Medvedev in the 2020 showpiece, but he bounced back to win the tie-break and advance to his second Paris Masters final.
Zverev told the ATP website, “I think I made it a little hard for myself, but he is a champion.”
“I’m glad to be in my second final here, but it’s probably his favorite event and court. I am eagerly anticipating it.
In his press conference, Zverev also acknowledged that he wants to work on his game in order to play against Sinner and Alcaraz in the ATP Finals and beyond in 2025.
During his press conference, Zverev also acknowledged that he wants to work on his skills in order to go to the 2025 ATP Finals and compete against Sinner and Alcaraz.
When the revised list is announced on Monday, Zverev’s run in Paris will see him tie his career-high ranking of No. 2, but he acknowledges that the “Big 2” of Sinner and Alcaraz are one step ahead of him because they split the four Grand Slams this year.
“It’s about improving a few things,” Zverev stated.
Additionally, I believe that Jannik and Carlos are currently outperforming me in a few areas. My goal is to get better.
“I want to get better—not for today, not for tomorrow, or because of the games I played here, you know. For the upcoming year, I also aim to get better overall.
Because of this, I do consider this week to be a lot of practice, and I also want to get better for next year.
“I believe that you have to constantly get better at tennis. Since the other players are also getting better, you will regress if you remain motionless.
“They seem rather hostile to me. In my opinion, tennis is moving in that way.
“I believe that 90% of the time, whether it’s a winner or an unforced blunder, the point is over when they have an easy ball and are in an offensive position.
That’s how aggressive they are and how hard they hit the ball. I believe I can do better in that area. I’m attempting to do that.
In a thorough examination of his two main competitors, he continued by outlining how Sinner and Alcaraz had raised their game.
“Jannik has made significant progress this year,” he continued. Carlos has also made improvements in a few areas.
“I believe Novak (Djokovic) has become better every year over the last 15 to 20 years. I believe he would respond that he is a better tennis player now if you asked him if he was a better player last year, say in 2023 or even 2022, or even ten years ago when he was younger.
“I believe that’s because everyone strives to get better. You’re stagnating if you’re not getting better. I still want to accomplish my greatest ambitions. Since it hasn’t been good enough up to this point, I know I need to improve.
After Ugo Humbert defeated Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6) 6-4 6-3, Zverev will play the Frenchman in the championship match.
Humbert became the fifth Frenchman to make it to the Paris Masters final after defeating Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the competition.