- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Thursday, March 28, 2024
- Novak Djokovic Splits with Coach Goran Ivanisevic
- Ricky’s picks for Thursday in Miami, including Alcaraz and Zverev
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Wednesday, March 27, 2024
- Alcaraz makes quick work of Musetti, Sinner and Dimitrov also win in Miami
- Victoria Azarenka Advances to Miami Open Semifinals
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Tuesday, March 26, 2024
- Andy Murray Out for “Extended Period” with Ankle Injury
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Monday, March 25, 2024
- Ricky’s picks for Monday in Miami, including Alcaraz vs. Monfils
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Sunday, March 24, 2024
- Ankle Injury Forces Tommy Paul to Retire in Miami
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Miami Open Draws and Schedule for Friday, March 22, 2024
- Nishikori after losing at Miami Open: “I just want to play a lot of matches”
10sBalls Preview For The Federer vs. Zverev Match At ATP • Nitto • “Battle Of The Ages”
- Updated: November 13, 2017
By Richard Pagliaro
LONDON—A battle of the ages brings opportunity for advancement when the oldest man in the field faces the youngest at the World Tour Finals.
Six-time champion Roger Federer will play 20-year-old Alexander Zverev in the latest episode of their growing rivalry on Tuesday night.
The 36-year-old Swiss has split four meetings with the third-ranked Zverev, who has already toppled the Grand Slam king in pivotal matches.
Zverev swept Federer, 6-3, 6-4, in the Montreal final in August, avenging a 6-1, 6-3 setback to the Swiss in the Halle final in June.
Though there is a 16-year age gap, the pair are sometime practice partners and very familiar with each other’s games.
“Alexander has been around for a while now,” Federer said after the Montreal final. “Not a whole long time. But at this level, I’ve gotten to play him already now for the fourth or fifth time, practiced a ton with him. We know each other well.
“He’s healthy. He’s motivated. He has a lot of confidence. I like his game. He has a big game. He serves well. He has a great backhand. I like his backhand.”
Pounding deep drives into Federer’s one-handed backhand, Zverev snapped Federer’s 15-match Halle winning streak in 2016.
Tuesday night’s rematch pits Zverev’s aggressive baseline game against Federer’s all-court acumen.
The second-ranked Federer will need to assert his variety and mix his short-angled slice backhand with forehand drives to displace the 6’6” German from the baseline.
“I know he’s probably the best player taking time away from an opponent,” Zverev said. “If he gets an offensive game going it’s very tough to beat him.”
Federer will advance to the final four if he defeats Zverev in straight sets or if he beats Zverev and Jack Sock, whom Federer stopped in his opener, defeats Marin Cilic in Tuesday afternoon’s match.
Zverev will qualify for the semifinals if he beats Federer and Cilic defeats Sock.
“Look, I mean, I think anyone beating Federer in this group has a good chance of passing,” Zverev said after rallying past Cilic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 on Sunday night. “But he’s the favorite definitely in all of the matches he plays.”