“Was Much Better” – Diego Schwartzman On Alexander Zverev’s Winning Streak at ATP Cologne

World No. 9 Diego Schwartzman, who was the second seed going into the Bett1HULKS Championship, lost to Alexander Zverev in the Final 6-2 6-1. Meanwhile, Zverev, who also won the Bett1HULKS Indoors last week, made it two in two in Cologne.

The Argentine went into the Finals leading the ATP Head2Head series 2-1, with his most recent victory coming at the US Open 2020, but Zverev was just too good on the day. Or for that matter, good all week.

Zverev took control early by breaking for the very first time at a scoreline of 2-2. The very next game, Schwartzman missed a forehand return, and it was a downward spiral for him in the match thereafter.

However, Schwartzman, who ended up second-best yet again- his third of the season- was all praise for Zverev, “Sascha was much better today,” he said. “He deserved to win last week here and today he was perfect on court.”

Zverev, ecstatic after a successful run at Cologne, was equally respectful towards his opponent. “Diego is someone that you can really struggle with. He is somebody who doesn’t miss from the baseline. You really have to win the match against him and I felt like that’s what I did.”

Zverev saved the best for the Finals as he came all guns blazing in the much awaited showdown against the Argentine.

Diego Schwartzman and the road ahead

Diego Schwartzman has had a very eventful year so far and he is keen on carrying it forward. He has also been very vocal about his preparations for the Nitto ATP Finals, treating it like a Grand Slam.

As per the current situation, two spots for the ATP Finals are still up for grabs. The Argentine had 3180 points going in Cologne and the runner-up effort here will give him another 150.

He is second to Andrey Rublev who is sitting pretty with 3429 points. It will be interesting to see them go head-to-head- in the Vienna Open, if at all they do.

Diego Schwartzman broke into the Top 10 of the FedEx ATP rankings last week. In doing so, he became the first Argentine in more than 8 years to achieve that feat.

He has pocketed $12,91,934 in prize-money this season; add to that another $13162 from Cologne. The way Diego Schwartzman’s graph has transpired this year, he would want nothing less than making it to London for his first-ever ATP Tour Finals appearance.

Read More- “Very Focused As If It Were A Grand Slam” Diego Schwartzman Reveals His Year-End Goals