Zverev beats Thiem to win Madrid Open
MADRID » Second-seeded Alexander Zverev eased past fifth-seeded Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4 to win the Madrid Open on Sunday, claiming his second title in a week.
The German broke Thiem’s opening service games in each set and didn’t give his Austrian rival a single break chance to win in 1 hour, 19 minutes.
Zverev won his eighth career title and second of the season after also winning the Munich Open last weekend.
“It is unbelievable,” Zverev said. “This is my third Masters 1000 and I am only 21 years old. It has been an amazing journey.”
Zverev dominated the entire week in the Spanish capital, not losing a single set en route to victory.
Thiem lost his second consecutive final at the Caja Magica. He avenged last year’s final loss to Rafael Nadal by beating him in Friday’s quarterfinals for the Spaniard’s first clay-court loss in a year.
Zverev started strongly when Thiem conceded his first service game costly double fault.
Serving to close out the first set, Zverev trailed 0-30 but used his big serve to force deuce and finally closed out the point when Thiem’s return sailed long.
Zverev started the second set in similar fashion, hitting a deep forehand that Thiem could only send into the net on the final point of his service game to fall behind a break.
It was Zverev’s second win in six meetings with Thiem.
On Saturday, Petra Kvitova beat Kiki Bertens in with a three sets title. to win the women’s
Wawrinka has his fitness back — now he needs confidence
ROME » The good news for Stan Wawrinka is that he finally feels physically fit again following surgery on his left knee.
The challenge now for the three-time Grand Slam champion is regaining his confidence and fluidity of movement on the court.
Playing his first match in three months, Wawrinka was more pleased than upset despite losing to 55th-ranked Steve Johnson 6-4, 6-4 Sunday in the first round of the Italian Open.
“My level is really high, better than what I expected,” Wawrinka said, adding that he returned to proper oncourt training only 12 days ago. “I’m happy with physically where I am right now.”
Wawrinka committed 30 unforced errors to his American opponent’s 17, was broken once in each set and failed to take advantage of his only two break opportunities.
“I was nervous the match. A lot of during hesitation with my game, with my movement and everything. Quite tight with my body. And that’s going to make a big difference, especially for me, the way I move and the way I play,” said Wawrinka, who draws enormous power from his robust frame.
“Even with that, it was a tough match. One, two points could have changed the match.”
Wawrinka was operated on in August — twice — and returned in January at the Australian Open, where he was eliminated in the second round by Tennys Sandgren.