Zverev beats de Minaur for 2nd consecutive Citi Open title
Alexander Zverev’s second Citi Open title in a row is merely the latest sign that he is separating himself from the other up-andcoming youngsters in tennis.
That doesn’t mean he is sure that guys such as Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal are worrying just yet.
“You’ve got to ask them. I don’t think Roger’s too concerned about it,” Zverev said with a smile. “He’s somewhere in Switzerland right now, enjoying ... his milk from his cow.”
Zverev became the first man in nearly a decade to win consecutive titles at Washington’s hardcourt tuneup for the US Open, overpowering Alex de Minaur 62, 6-4 in the final Sunday.
Juan Martin del Potro won the Citi Open in 2008 and 2009.
Zverev hit six aces, and never faced a break point en route to his ninth career ATP title and third of 2018.
“He hit me off the court today,” de Minaur said.
Two-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova won the women’s final, erasing four match points in the second set on the way to a 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 victory over Donna Vekic. Kuznetsova also won the title in Washington in 2014.
Germany’s Zverev is 21, and Australia’s de Minaur is 19, making for the youngest final on the ATP World Tour since 20-yearold Rafael Nadal beat 19-year-old Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells, California, in 2007.
“I’m sure these kind of trophies will be in your hands very soon,” Zverev told de Minaur.
“Sascha Zverev is the future of pro tennis,” said tournament cofounder and chairman Donald Dell, using Zverev’s nickname. “He’s chasing Federer and Nadal for the No. 1 spot.”
Zverev - who beat his older brother, Mischa, in the third round - put on a dominant performance on a steamy afternoon with the temperature hitting 90 degrees. The sun was a contrast to all of the rain during the week that jumbled the schedule and led to Andy Murray’s withdrawal before facing de Minaur in the quarterfinals.