Zverev wins 21st ATP title, Khachanov also triumphs in China

In a gruelling final lasting nearly three hours in the heat of southwestern China, the 10th-ranked Zverev roared back to win 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3

By AFP

Published: Wed 27 Sep 2023, 12:29 AM

Alexander Zverev fought back from a set down to defeat Russias Roman Safiullin at the Chengdu Open in China and win his 21st ATP title on Tuesday.

In a gruelling final lasting nearly three hours in the heat of southwestern China, the 10th-ranked Zverev roared back to win 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

Germanys Zverev was two points from defeat at 5/5 in the second-set tie-break, but held his nerve to draw level and then took the deciding set as both players wilted.

'Hes playing the best tennis of his life for sure,' Zverev said of his 55th-ranked opponent, who was contesting his first tour-level final.

'The way he was winning this week, I think he beat a lot of great players quite easily, so I knew that he was playing well.

'Obviously Im happy to be able to come back and to win this title.'

Also in China, Russias top-seeded Karen Khachanov won his first ATP title since 2018 when he defeated Japans Yoshihito Nishioka 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 in the Zhuhai Championships final.