Zverev after defeat by Medvedev: I will be the bigest fan of Medvedev against Alkaraz

• Tennis

German tennis player Alexander Zverev expressed his disappointment on Friday after his defeat to Danilo Medvedev in the ongoing tournament. Zverev faced a 2-0 defeat in sets, allowing Medvedev to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

However, Zverev still has hope, as he relies on Medvedev to triumph over Carlos Alcaraz in the last round for him to advance further in the competition. Reflecting on his recent loss, Zverev expressed frustration, stating that he believed he didn't deserve to lose in two sets.

Taking responsibility for his performance, he acknowledged that if he doesn't qualify for the next stage, he has no one to blame but himself. Despite the setback, Zverev highlighted a critical moment in the match against Medvedev, where he missed an opportunity to capitalize on a 4:1 lead in the tie-break of the first set due to a misjudged volley.

"If Alkaraz wins, he goes on. It's frustrating because I don't think I deserved to lose in two sets. Also, if I don't qualify to go on, I have no one to blame. Basically, I have myself to blame," Zverev said. Recalling the specifics of the game, Zverev admitted to a lapse in judgment, mentioning that he thought the ball was closer to him than it actually was.

In the second set, both players held their serves, but Zverev identified a crucial turning point at 5:4 where he failed to secure the first point, ultimately shifting the advantage to Medvedev. Zverev, a two-time winner of the Final Masters in 2018 and 2021, noted an interesting pattern in his tournament history.

Despite winning the overall tournament twice, he has consistently faced defeat in the second round of the group stage. Looking ahead, Zverev conceded that on Friday, he would be cheering for Danil Medvedev, a change from his usual role on the court.

Expressing confidence in Medvedev's abilities, Zverev acknowledged the Russian's chances of winning and emphasized the need for him to stay focused and ready for his upcoming match against Andrei Rublev.