Paris Masters 2020 final: Alexander Zverev vs Daniil Medvedev preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (4) Alexander Zverev vs (3) Daniil Medvedev
Date: 8 November 2020
Tournament: Rolex Paris Masters 2020
Round: Final
Venue: Paris, France
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Indoor Hardcourt
Prize money: €3,901,015
Match Timing: Not before 3:00 pm local time, 7:30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | India - Sony Six / Sony Liv
Alexander Zverev vs Daniil Medvedev preview
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev will look to win his third title in a row when he takes on third seed Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Paris Masters on Sunday.
Alexander Zverev has been a picture of steely focus this week, keeping all his off-court issues aside. The 23-year-old came to the French capital in imperious form, having captured a couple of titles in Cologne, and has continued to strike the ball with that same aggression in Paris.
Zverev has dismissed Miomir Kecmanovic, Adrian Mannarino, Stan Wawrinka and now Rafael Nadal to extend his winning streak to 12 matches. And he looks good for more.
The 2020 US Open runner-up has dropped only one set all week, against Mannarino. Even an apparent thigh injury while facing Wawrinka couldn't throw him off; he continued to motor on, refusing to give his opponents an inch.
This has been probably the best version of Zverev since he won the biggest title of his young career at the ATP Finals in 2018.
On the other hand, Daniil Medvedev's season has unfolded in a very different way. The Russian has failed to emulate his heroics from last year, to say the least; apart from the ATP Cup and the US Open, Medvedev didn't feature in any other semifinal prior to this week.
In fact, the Paris Masters is the first tournament of 2020 where Medvedev has managed to reach the final.
Medvedev started his campaign by winning via retirement over Kevin Anderson, after which he overcame the in-form Alex de Minaur in three sets. The latter result seems to have done a world of good to his confidence; the Russian has looked like his 2019 self ever since.
In the quarterfinals and semifinals, the Medvedev dispatched Diego Schwartzman and Milos Raonic respectively with consummate ease.
Alexander Zverev vs Daniil Medvedev head-to-head
With a 5-1 lead in their head-to-head record, Alexander Zverev has a distinct upper hand in this rivalry. In fact, four out of five wins for Zverev have come in straight sets; the German just seems very comfortable playing against Medvedev.
The only time the Russian managed to turn the tables on the World No. 7 was at the Shanghai Masters final last year. While in the middle of a purple patch, Medvedev blew away Zverev 6-4, 6-1 in a spectacular display to win his second career Masters title.
That said, the German didn't waste any time in restoring his winning run against Medvedev. At their very next meeting - in the league stage of the 2019 ATP Finals - Zverev edged the Russian 6-4, 7-6(4).
Alexander Zverev vs Daniil Medvedev prediction
Alexander Zverev seems to have turned over a new leaf with the advent of the indoor season.
The German had been plagued by double faults for months, and his passive play during rallies had caused him to be involved in many long matches. But since the start of the first Cologne event at home, Zverev has looked like a different player.
The World No. 7 finally seems to have shaken his troubles off, and seems to be filled with a newfound belief. And the Paris Masters has been another example of that.
Zverev has produced 48 aces this week, with a whopping 19 against the dangerous Adrian Mannarino - who was the only one to take a set off him. While the fantastic serve has been the backbone of his success, Zverev's forehand has finally got back its venom.
Striking the ball with depth, precision and aggression, the World No. 7 is the hot favorite to win the title.
Medvedev of course won't be an easy customer to deal with by any means. The Russian has struck 35 aces himself this week, and has been winning a very high percentage of his first-serve points.
Against Schwartzman, Medvedev won 27 out of his 28 first-serve points. He has also been defending with his usual doggedness, coaxing errors out of his opponents through patience and variation.
But some of Zverev's shot-making this week has been virtually unstoppable. Unless Medvedev is able to make a strong start and dent the confidence of the German, he will find it very tough to gain a foothold in the match.
Zverev, on his part, will look to finish rallies with his deadly down-the-line forehand and backhand that have worked well for him all week. Given the way he has been serving and making use of the 1-2 punch, it is hard to imagine how Medvedev can find a way past him.
Prediction: Alexander Zverev to win in three sets.