How Zverev's serving surge is paying off

Alexander Zverev is already a two-time champion at the Nitto ATP Finals, and the numbers show the German is serving better than ever, making him a major player in the chase for the Brad Drewett Trophy.

The No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings has not faced a break point through two round-robin matches at this year’s season finale, defeating Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud in straight sets. The 27-year-old, currently on a seven-match winning streak, has not faced a break point since 5-4 in the second set of his semi-final victory against Holger Rune at the Rolex Paris Masters.

His service performance against two of the very best players in the world, Rublev and Ruud, was staggering. Zverev not only went a combined 21 service games without coming under break pressure — he barely lost points.

In 10 service games against Rublev, he lost 10 points. In 11 service games against Ruud, he dropped 11 points. A reporter flagged the stat to him on Wednesday evening.

“If I get broken the next match, it's your fault,” Zverev said, cracking a smile. “If I make one double fault on a break point, I'm going to only think about you. It's the only reason.”

Zverev Service Games Won By Year

When Zverev won the Nitto ATP Finals title in 2018, he faced 11 break points in round-robin play. In 2021 when the German claimed a second season finale crown, he confronted six. In just one of those six matches, against Hubert Hurkacz in 2021, Zverev did not face a break chance.

This does not seem to be a standalone surge. Zverev has been serving well throughout the season.

According to Infosys ATP Stats, the World No. 2 arrived in Turin second on the ATP Tour in service games won at 89.9 per cent, trailing only World No. 1 Jannik Sinner (91.2%).

It has been by far the best serving performance of Zverev’s career. His previous-best finish on the leaderboard came in 2021, when he won 86.3 per cent of his service games to place fifth. That was the only season in which the German claimed at least 85 per cent of his service games.

With his effort through two matches at the Nitto ATP Finals, Zverev has cracked the 90 per cent mark in service games won for the season. It has caught the attention of his competitors, including Ruud.

“The serve is taking it to another level for me,” Ruud said. “He doesn't do the double faults anymore. He doesn't get shaky with his serve anymore. His first serve is 225 [kmh], around there, all the time.”

Zverev will hope that continues on Friday when he takes a 29-service games won streak into his clash with Carlos Alcaraz in Turin.

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