Zverev shows why he's a star on the rise

WASHINGTON - Past champions whose names line the grandstands at the Citi Open include Andre Agassi (five times), Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg and Ivan Lendl.

On Sunday, Alexander Zverev showed he might one day belong among such exalted company.

The talented 20-year-old German picked up early breaks in each set and was never challenged on his serve in a 6-4, 6-4 victory over South African veteran Kevin Anderson for his fourth ATP title of the year. That matches Rafael Nadal's victory total this season and trails only Roger Federer's five.

The eighth-ranked Zverev dropped his opening set in Washington and had to survive a third-set tiebreaker to avoid an upset in the first round.

He didn't lose a set after that opening match against Jordan Thompson and grew stronger as the tournament went on, having little trouble with the hot and humid conditions and long rain delays.

"I feel like the longer the tournament gets, the better I start to play," Zverev said.

The title was Zverev's first of his career on an outdoor hard court and gives him momentum heading into the US Open, which starts on Aug 28.

Anderson, 31, came in with a tournament-best 62 aces, but Zverev got enough first serves back to give himself ample break opportunities. Zverev broke Anderson early in each set and never faced a break point on his own serve.

The German played with little fear, ripping hard, flat cross-court backhands that caught Anderson off balance. Serving at 4-3, 0-15 in the first set, Zverev hit a 127-mph second serve for a winner, then followed with a 121-mph ace.

Zverev's previous titles this year came at a Masters event on clay in Rome, along with wins on clay in Munich and on indoor hard courts in Montpellier, France.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he wins a few Grand Slams, at any rate," Anderson said. "That's definitely what the path looks like right now."

Seeking his fourth career title and first since 2015, Anderson looked shaky early on, double-faulting twice and surviving two break points in the opening game.

Serving at 15-40 at 1-1 in the first set, he hit a short ball deep to Zverev's backhand. Zverev got it back and Anderson hit an overhead into the net.

In the second set, an error by Anderson at 30-40 in the first game gave Zverev another break, and the German was hardly challenged from there.

"I was pretty happy with the way I played," Anderson said. "Didn't even get a break point today. He played well with the lead in those two sets."

Zverev's father, Alexander Sr, is a former tour pro from Russia who now coaches Alexander and his older brother, Mischa, who is currently ranked No 26. The family moved to Germany in 1991.

"It's quite amazing what we've achieved," Zverev said to his father during his victory speech. "You might be the best coach in the history of tennis."

Associated Press