Alexander Zverev rallies from a set down to claim Chengdu Crown

Alexander Zverev completed a hard-earned title run on Tuesday evening in China, defeating Roman Safiullin 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-3 in the Chengdu Open final.

Zverev won his third three-set match in four matches at the ATP 250, holding firm in the face of a clean-hitting performance from Safiullin, who was competing in his first tour-level final. Zverev was two points away from defeat in the second-set tie-break at 5/5, but he raised his game to seal a two-hour, 56-minute victory and his 21st tour-level title.

Safiullin had lit up Chengdu with a string of clean-hitting displays on his way to the final, and he didn't slow down for the championship match, striking 33 winners to his opponent's 25. He saved three set points from 4-5, 0/40 to win the first set, but World No. 10 Zverev dialed in behind his big first serve and finished the stronger, improving to 14-6 in tour-level hard court finals.

Zverev, who also won in Hamburg and reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros earlier this year, is now 46-21 for the year after suffering a serious ankle injury in the second half of the 2022 season. His debut victory in Chengdu improved his standing in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin. Zverev is now in seventh place as he prepares to compete in his sixth Nitto ATP Finals, where he is a two-time champion.

SportsLigue