If the second serve is a window into a players soul, as Mischa Zverev claims, you could say that his brother Alexander Zverev is feeling relaxed, particularly after the first week of the US Open, where he is into the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive year.
“I used to say that the second service is a reflection of your soul,” says Mischa, former No. 25 in the PIF ATP Rankings and now part of his brother’s team. “If you’re nervous, you will see it on the second serve. Maybe it’ll be slow, less aggressive and more conservative in terms of positioning. But, in that regard, ‘Sascha’ is feeling very confident.”
His stats at this year’s US Open tell no lies. The fourth seed has committed 17 double faults over four matches this fortnight. He reached exactly the same mark just in the fourth round of the event in 2019 against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, just days after serving up 20 in Cincinnati against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
“Sascha always had a great serve, with a very natural motion. He’s one of the players with the most natural serve, but sometimes it would seem to come and go,” explains his brother Mischa.
“We’ve worked a lot on it. Serving is about rhythm, a good throw and getting your legs ready, but not just that. Sascha is really focused on improving it. There are a couple of things here and there that he does technically, but in his case it’s more about staying focused and trusting his arm.”
[ATP APP]The philosophy has served him particularly well in 2024. In fact, if the year were to end now, it would be the German’s best season in terms of points won on the second serve, with a total of 54 per cent. The figure is significantly higher than in previous seasons; five years ago he was at a mere 44 per cent in this area.
His 53 per cent this fortnight also goes some way to explaining his impressive campaign so far in New York. It is helping him to play more freely, even under pressure. It was especially evident in his last two matches, where he came back from a 0-1 deficit.
“I’m very happy that, even though he’s had some tough moments on court, he’s been able to find a way to turn them around, especially after losing the first set against Nakashima and Etcheverry. Above all, in the last match he was brilliant in the way he came back, the way he changed his game and tactics,” added Mischa.
“You can’t be at 100 per cent of your level in every match, but it’s important that you can change things and not waste time on court. So far he’s been able to do that.”
Alexander Zverev in action in New York. Photo Credit: Getty Images
In the next round he may have to be ready to change his game plan again against another player with an impressive tennis IQ, the American Taylor Fritz. Zverev leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 5-4, but he lost their most recent encounter in July at Wimbledon.
“Taylor’s a very intelligent guy, but when you compare his game to someone like Medvedev, Medvedev is more of a chess player on court,” Mischa said. “Taylor is more of a big hitter, a big server with a big forehand. He likes to keep points short, and he likes to step forward and dominate.
“At the end of the day, Sascha is also a chess player on court, but with different tactics to Medvedev, who structures points and doesn’t like rallies with fewer than two shots. Sascha likes to serve big, return big, but he’s also intelligent on court, he can read the game very, very well.
“He knows what to do in difficult situations, and he’s capable of finding a way to beat his opponent, not necessarily with power. Sometimes with resistance, sometimes with tactics. That’s why he’s had great results in the past.”
Another win at Flushing Meadows would propel him into his ninth Grand Slam semi-final, and his third at this event (also in 2020 and 2021). It would also guarantee he climbs to No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday, which would equal his personal best.
The German is certainly not short on motivation for his match on Tuesday. “Taylor loves fast courts and playing here, but Sascha is playing well and is full of confidence for this match,” warned his older brother.
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