US Open, 3rd round, Saturday, 31.08.2024, 02:30
Survived another round, but also had to deal with a few problems again! Alexander Zverev is going into his third match at the US Open 2024 and still has room for improvement.
However, our betting providers in Germany don’t seem to care, as they see him as the clear favorite in Round 3 as well. Whether that’s not a little too clear and why I’m going for a tiebreak here will now be clarified in my Etcheverry Zverev tip
He didn’t like the time, he didn’t like the temperature, he didn’t like his own game at times! Alexander Zverev fought his way through the 2nd round of New York, suffering a lot in the process.
He won 6-4, 7-6, 6-1 against Alexander Müller, only convincing across the board in the last set. The weather really got to the German, which of course also affected his concentration.
“He played great tennis, he was the better player at the end of the second set. I found a way and I’m happy to have made it in three sets and get some rest. It’s really tough conditions.”
He also collected the first set because Müller made numerous easy mistakes. Everyone knows: morning or noon at Flushing Meadows? That’s not his time, he favors the matches at a later hour
The rate of 84% points won on his first serve was of course very strong, and he only gave his opponent the chance to break twice. He had not previously achieved such results against Maximilan Marterer.
Zverev had won 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 here, so he is already a little stronger now. But of course he also knows that his opponents will get better and better from now on and that he mustn’t let up.
This is his 35th attempt in total to reach the top of a Grand Slam tournament, but he will of course not forget losing the 2020 US Open final against Dominic Thiem, despite leading 2-0 in sets
The Hamburg-born player hasn’t failed to reach the last 16 in New York since 2018, so it’s clear that that’s not on his agenda this time either. What about his next opponent, how well do they know each other?
The only duel between the two players to date took place at the French Open 2023, which Zverev won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Just a small wobble, which leads our bookmakers to bet on clear fronts.
1.08 to 8.20, even a 3:0 win only brings in 1.74 at NeoBet.
Of course, it could be dangerous for Zverev that Etcheverry is almost the same height and measures 1.96m. So will this show that the two are on the same level when it comes to serving?
I wouldn’t put it quite like that, as the Argentinian is ranked 33rd in the world, well behind Zverev. Successes at the US Open? Virtually none, he has only reached the 2nd round once
Last year, his two matches went to nine sets and four tiebreaks, so the fans were treated to a lot. The 25-year-old has already sprinkled in another five-setter this time.
In round 2 against Francisco Cerundolo, he won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, making use of only five of his 16 break chances. 23 aces, 80% points won on his first serve – Zverev has to watch out for that.
Etcheverry had previously won unspectacularly 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 against Giovanni Perricard. 87% points won on serve number 1 and 82% on serve number 2, his 1.96m is being used as planned.
But I can’t report an overall strong form. In Winston-Salem, he lost to Zizou Bergs right at the start, and in Cincinnati he only won one match. But: A 7-7, 6-7, 3-6 against Ben Shelton is something to be proud of
My Etcheverry Zverev tip
Etcheverry is a classic player who keeps up with the best on good days and gets his service through, but is eliminated early against less strong opponents on bad days.
Too bad for Alexander Zverev: he clearly belongs to the first category, and it is precisely these matches that seem to suit the Argentinian. In my opinion, the favorite definitely needs to watch out, especially when returning.
I think Etcheverry is very strong on serve, and the number of aces and service points he has won have proven that statistically. And that’s exactly why my tip is:
We’ll see at least one tiebreak!
