Alexander Zverev will face Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round of the Canada Masters in Toronto. The top seed embraces the fourth showdown against the Argentine, seeking his first victory.
World no. 3 has fallen to Cerundolo three times on clay, taking only one of seven sets and struggling to find a formula to break his opponent's rhythm on the slowest surface.
However, they will meet for the first time on hard court in Toronto, and Alexander hopes to flip the script in their budding rivalry. The German remains focused and determined to rise to the challenge.
The 2018 champion leans on his top-tier status and gains confidence from that. However, he is aware of Cerundolo's danger, acknowledging that nothing less than his best will suffice in this high-stakes encounter for a place in the last eight.
The match offers Zverev a chance to not only avenge past defeats but also build crucial momentum ahead of the closing stages of the event. Alexander is seeking his first notable title since Paris in the closing stages of 2024.
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Following an early Wimbledon loss, the German went to Mallorca and spent time with Toni and Rafa Nadal. The 28-year-old praised his experience and everything he learned from the two tennis giants.
Zverev is seeking necessary improvements in his quest to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz and fight for that elusive Major title that slipped away from his hands three times.
Is he capable of raising his level and battle against the world's best players? Only time will tell in the years to come.
"I do not know if our fourth match will be different from the previous three. I hope so, especially as it comes on hard court. Francisco has beaten me three times, and I'm still trying to figure out how to win against him.
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I will have to step onto the court with a lot of confidence and remind myself I'm world no. 3 for a reason. I will have to perform at my best to pass this challenge," Alexander Zverev said.
