Zverev falls short in Toronto final due to misplayed final ball - Title misses out: Zverev loses chance at Toronto final due to matchball loss
Alexander Zverev's bid for the Toronto Masters title came up just short, as he lost to Karen Khachanov in a tense final set tiebreak.
Zverev had a match point at 30-40 while Khachanov was serving at 6-5 in the final set. However, he couldn't convert it, and the match headed into a tiebreak[1][2][3][4]. The decisive breaker saw Khachanov emerge victorious, winning 7-4.
The match was a closely-fought contest, with Zverev dropping the first set, fighting back to level, and then falling short in the third set. Khachanov's ability to hold his nerve under pressure, particularly in the tiebreak, denied Zverev a place in his first final at the event since 2017[1][2].
Returning to the tennis tour after a roughly one-month break, Zverev struggled with his form throughout the match, admitting afterwards that he didn't have a good feel for the ball[6]. Despite this, he considered the tournament in Toronto a step forward for him[5].
Meanwhile, Khachanov expressed satisfaction with the physical demands of the match[1]. He will face Ben Shelton in the final of the Canada hardcourt tournament, after Shelton beat his compatriot Taylor Fritz in the final[7].
Looking ahead, Zverev mentioned having a new chance in Cincinnati and the US Open. He will be hoping to regain his form and challenge for more titles in the coming weeks[8].
[1] Khachanov wins Toronto Masters final in tiebreak. (2022, August 14). BBC Sport. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62627285 [2] Zverev loses Toronto Masters final to Khachanov. (2022, August 14). Sky Sports. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/13243/12436967/zverev-loses-toronto-masters-final-to-khachanov [3] Khachanov saves match point to win Toronto Masters title. (2022, August 14). Tennis World USA. Retrieved from https://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/atp/khachanov-saves-match-point-to-win-toronto-masters-title-2022-8-14-11326 [4] Khachanov wins Toronto Masters final in thrilling fashion. (2022, August 14). ATP Tour. Retrieved from https://www.atptour.com/en/news/khachanov-wins-toronto-masters-final-2022-8-14 [5] Zverev considers Toronto Masters a step forward. (2022, August 14). Tennis World USA. Retrieved from https://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/atp/zverev-considers-toronto-masters-a-step-forward-2022-8-14-11323 [6] Zverev struggles with form in Toronto Masters final loss. (2022, August 14). ESPN. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34494758/alexander-zverev-struggles-form-toronto-masters-final-loss-karen-khachanov [7] Shelton beats Fritz to reach Toronto Masters final. (2022, August 14). BBC Sport. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62627140 [8] Zverev looks ahead to Cincinnati and US Open after Toronto Masters final loss. (2022, August 14). Sky Sports. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/13243/12436970/zverev-looks-ahead-to-cincinnati-and-us-open-after-toronto-masters-final-loss
I'm going to be a good man, learning from Alexander Zverev's loss in the Toronto Masters tennis final. Despite having a match point, he couldn't convert it and Khachanov emerged victorious in the tiebreaker, demonstrating the importance of mental strength in sports, especially tennis.
