Battle for the Diamond Throne: Medvedev [3] vs [5] Alexander Zverev (GER) - Shanghai 2019
- Thread starter Sysyphus
- Start date
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
Looks like both are in good form. Should be an interesting match. Zverev leads the head to head 4-0.
Winners or Errors
Legend
If Zverev stays positive he will win.
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
Pol Post!
Legend of Borg
G.O.A.T.
5-0 please
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
The russian german in 2
mightyrick
Legend
Medvedev in 2.
Fedforever
Hall of Fame
Really hoping for a Mad Lad win.
This wasn't classy from Zverev
This wasn't classy from Zverev
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
why do people keep repeating this drivel ad nauseam?
He was born in Hamburg and says he considers himself unequivocally German.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
What’s in a name, as Willy Shakes said.
Otacon
Hall of Fame
Calm down mate, why so serious ?
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
A Zverev of any nationality would still be a mug?
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
Because that line, or similar versions, has been repeated to the point of boredom. Uttered once, it's just a little bit silly; when repeated over and over again, it becomes grating. We get it, his parents weren't born in Germany.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
His grandparents were invaded by Germany. Does that help?
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
the original ABZ?
Meles
Bionic Poster
In the beginning the land was pure even in the early morning light. You could see the beauty in the forms of nature. And they would find it all to easy not to see the colors and to ignore the beauty, but they would never lose sight of the dream of a better world that they could unite and build together in triumph.
@Poisoned Slice approved
Last edited:
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
In the beginning the land was pure even in the early morning light. You could see the beauty in the forms of nature. And they would find it all to easy not to see the colors and to ignore the beauty, but they would never lose sight of the dream of a better world that they could unite and build together in triumph.
The Fab 5 with Matteo as Mascot
So what's yer prediction?
Otacon
Hall of Fame
I'm not here 24/7 mate to know exactly who says what.
Meles
Bionic Poster
Its pretty easy to go with the Zedulous One taking the head to head 5-0, though the Octopus is hard to resist.So what's yer prediction?
I'm just going to sit back and enjoy one of the most interesting and anticipated matches in memory. We've had some retreads of the Big 3, but the cat was out of the bag even for this years Wimbledon final as to what to expect. You'd have to go back to some of the early Big 4 matches to have something as new and novel, but there Fed was the well know over lord with a huge gap. Murray v Djoko clashes a notch below. This maybe could have been in 2010 if Murray had gone up another level and Djokovic suddenly appeared at a tournament transforming into his 2011 self. The Zedulous One and the Octopus are just 14 months apart in age.
What makes this so special?:
1. The jump in Zverev's level; literally emerging from the ashes of 2019 with seemingly a level that may deliver on the trajectory of his potential shown in 2017 and 2018.
2. Medvedev's emergence as the #1 player on tour since Wimbledon (healthy lead over Nadal's 3000 points)
3. The Mind of Medvedev vs Zverev with a full load of mental baggage
4. Zverev 4-0 vs the Mad Lad
5. The Fight for Zverev to Take Back his Alpha role among the new players
6. The Potential Level on Display - Medvedev has become a top tier player with Djoko 2011-2016 type hard court stats to back up the claim. The Zedulous One may in fact may be betterer.
7. Huge stakes match for the future of tennis and both I'm sure can feel it and will deliver their best.
8. Zverev's tournament closing prowess versus a player in his six straight final and what he did in US Open Final
9. Literally this match has come out of nowhere with the first hints of this form for Zverev showing against Rublev earlier this week.
I just can't think of a match quite like it. The closest might be Federer vs Safin, with Safin for one tournament finding an extra gear. This appears to be the start of something much bigger.
Add to this that its now apparent that Tsitsipas now has an expanding space in Novak's head and its been a stunning Diamond Age Anniversary Event.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Can Mad Lad quickly morph from Papervedev that covers Rocksipas two avoid the cut from Scissorsrev???
Interesting RPS dynamic with just one variance from the game, the first Scissorsrev matchup with Rocksipas.
As much as it pains me, Scissorsrev cuts Papervedev once again, in three.
Interesting RPS dynamic with just one variance from the game, the first Scissorsrev matchup with Rocksipas.
As much as it pains me, Scissorsrev cuts Papervedev once again, in three.
PeteD
Legend
Unequivocal Germans don't live in Monte Carlo.
PeteD
Legend
Danny Boy will avenge Roger.
Mainad
Bionic Poster
Zverev has won all 4 of his previous encounters with Medvedev with only 1 of those going the distance. But 2019 Medvedev is a different beast from any of those earlier versions Zverev played. At the same time, Zverev has finally found his form in Bo3 hardcourt matches so this promises to be a much more interesting and uncertain clash.
Both finalists are already Masters champions with Zverev holding more titles at this level (3) than any other player outside the Big 4 whilst Medvedev won his maiden title in Cincinnati just 2 months ago. This will be his 3rd Masters final this season following Montreal and Cincy whilst Zverev is making his 1st since 2018 Rome. Both are making their maiden final in Shanghai.
Both finalists are already Masters champions with Zverev holding more titles at this level (3) than any other player outside the Big 4 whilst Medvedev won his maiden title in Cincinnati just 2 months ago. This will be his 3rd Masters final this season following Montreal and Cincy whilst Zverev is making his 1st since 2018 Rome. Both are making their maiden final in Shanghai.
EllieK
Hall of Fame
Both are serving well and hitting well from the back of the court and Daniil has been pretty solid at the net. They are equally good at the pass and running BH. I hope it lives up to the billing. It could be a cracker and just what tennis needs. Hard to get the teens and twenties interested in a sport dominated by players in their thirties. Play on guys and may the best one win. Laver Cup gave Sascha an injection of confidence. Maybe Roger wishes he hadn't dispensed the expletive laden pep talk now. Medvedev making a 6th final in a row speaks for itself about what he brings to the court but he needs to win more of them. I like the Russian but I am in the group that also likes Sascha. They both have sass and swagger. Can't wait for this one.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Mentally tenacious for sure but deceptively skillful at using a very full tool bag to beat players in so many different ways. If he ever improves the volley and starts to use it to shorten points, watch out! As is, his spin variety leaves opponents flat footed in rallies and sets up easy putaways.
Nadal_King
Hall of Fame
This match could be a trailer of some big grand slam finals matches in coming few years.
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
Mad lad in straights. He has mental cojones that Zverev can only dream about.
Meles
Bionic Poster
Daniil, no?
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Da, Daniil!Daniil, no?
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
As you probably know, residing in MC says more about your bank account than your nationality, which is why unequivocal Russian Medvedev has his address there too.
Fedforever
Hall of Fame
It's a shame cos up to now I've liked Zverev. And Fed wasn't in great form anyway, I wouldn't have fancied his chances against Mad Lad.
It would have been pretty rude to say that to anyone but given that Roger's also given him some mentoring help it seemed especially tacky. Maybe it sounded worse than he intended.
JoelSandwich
Hall of Fame
Med
Latetothegame
Semi-Pro
It's an interesting match up, Zverev was on his own for a while leading the Next gen, he got so much attention, both good and negative, which I think effected him, and was almost resentful, if any other young player was threating that position he found himself in, almost a little dismissive of them, I think he has realised/grown a bit to accept that this is the future on men's tennis and he can be a big part of it, Mededev on the other hand was quietly improving his game, with less spotlight on him, I think it will be a close match with emotions running high..who wins, who know I would give the nod to Medevdev
beast of mallorca
G.O.A.T.
MugOpponent
Hall of Fame
Mad Lad 6-4 6-2
It's not your ****ing time.
It's not your ****ing time.
Berasategui94
Semi-Pro
medv
Meles
Bionic Poster
Medvedev is an extremely sensible pick, but I sometimes like to go out on limbs like when I started calling Zverev the Zedbot right before his Rome final with Djokovic. You just started lining up what he was doing (huge depth and stronger 2nd serve than now) and it looked like he had the ideal game to dismiss Djokovic. (Also thought highly of Fed's chances at 2017 Auz Open once draw came out based on his Hopman cup play as well.)
The 4-0 head to head means that Medvedev does not match up all that well with Zverev. A similar thing exists between Tsitsipas and the much younger FAA and it took a pretty big effort for Tsits to narrowly beat an off form FAA and then Hurkacz (similar issue) before taking out Djokovic. Medvedev of course beats the Zverev of two and three months ago, but this is not the same player and so the head to head is relevant. Both are over 55% points won at this tournament; this is not Zverev2019. This is very likely a player much better than even the one who took WTF last year. The first serve is so insanely good that my reservations about his 2nd serve seem almost unimportant.
The stats and my eye test say Zverev is back with a vengeance and is a player superior to Medvedev and that is saying a lot because Medvedev is right in there with current Big 3 level and has superlative stats.
Also Zverev is a relentless closer when in form at an event. This match could be a servebot dud (close, but boring), but I suspect its going to be special.I like Med much better than Zed (2nd fave behind Thiem), so I hope you're right.
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