Zverev Fifth Player To Clinch Spot In 2018 Nitto ATP Finals In London

Alexander Zverev of Germany hits a return to Nicolas Mahut of France during the fourth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 30 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September.  EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO

 

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

London is calling Alexander Zverev… again.

 

At just 21 years old, Zverev will be making his second appearance at the Nitto ATP Finals next month. The German officially punched his ticket to the O2 Arena this past Friday when he defeated Kyle Edmund 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semis of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

 

“It’s great to finally officially make it and again be a part of the best eight, which is an elite group,” Zverev assured. “It is a goal for everyone at the beginning of the season. I’m very pleased to be in London again and get another opportunity to play there for the second year in a row. I’m looking forward to the tournament.

 

“I put it close to equal as a Grand Slam, actually; and I think other players will tell you the same thing, because just to be there, you obviously play well throughout the whole year. It’s probably one of the most prestigious events that we have, because to get there, you have to be one of the best eight players in the world. Just being a part of it–just playing there is already an honor, itself.”

 

Zverev compiled a 1-2 record in his debut at the year-end championship last fall. He beat Marin Cilic before falling to Roger Federer, setting up a win-or-go-home round-robin showdown against Jack Sock. The American ended up winning it 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 to reach the semifinals.

 

Federer and Zverev have locked up return trips to London, while Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Juan Martin Del Potro have done the same. Del Potro, however, is expected to miss the rest of the season–including the Nitto ATP Finals–due to a knee injury sustained in Shanghai.

 

Del Potro’s absence would almost guarantee Marin Cilic, Kevin Anderson, and Dominic Thiem spots in London. It would also ignite a race for the eighth and final position between Kei Nishikori and John Isner.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @TennGrand.

 

Editors Note: Will he play Milan?