In the biggest upset so far in the Cincinatti Masters world number 4 Alexander Zverev was masterfully taken out by Dutchman and world number 55 Robin Haase. It was probably the most unlikely result of round 3 given Zverev's incredible run to many semi finals and finals of ATP tournaments so far this year, he's been as solid as a rock against weaker opponents until he came up against the Hasse who last night became the Flying Dutchman!
So how on earth did Haase leave Zverev in shock come the end of the match where the crowd themselves seem flabbergasted by the result? He pretty much played out of his skin and did not put a foot wrong with his service and return game where as Zverev looked a bit out of sorts at times on all three.
But It's always easy to say one of the top 5 players in the world looked a bit shaky when he looses to a top 60 player, but we have to give the Dutchman credit. He tamed the ATP's most successful young player (already with 9 titles to his name) using a combination of passive and calculated aggressive shots all the way through the match.
Haase deployed the slice backhand on many occasions to neutralise Zverev's hard grounds strokes, especially off the backhand, before turning to a clinical drive backhand to counter, this tactic along with many low sliced backhands kept low as Zverev approached the net worked an absolute treat.
Haase Saves Two Break Points in the Final Game
Zverev looked in shock when it came to Haase serving for the match. He had a 'how the hell did I get here' look on his face. But he had half a chance in the last game when he conjured up two break points with the chance to atleast take the match into a final set tie break.
Having won his last nine final set tie breaks Zverev must have fancied his chances if he could get Haase involved in one. But astonishingly Haase saved both break points, first with a terrific serve out wide and then with a masterful volley that Zverev could only dream of being able to make at the net. He went onto win the match and leave Zverev looking numb and dumb founded.
Lessons from the Older Brother Can't Come Soon Enough
I have said it before and I will say it again Zverev needs to start working on his net game. He missed so many volleys at the net and even some of the more difficult ones he should be looking to get a few back over the net. His older brother (Mischa Zverev) who is a master at the net could do with giving him a few lessons.
If Zverev wants a chance of one day winning a grand slam with each match sometimes taking a 5 to win he needs to learn to come and finish off points at the net. He works way too hard from the baseline on some points that should be finished off sooner. Furthermore with the sort of power he has behind both his forehand and backhand he really ought to be making more use of both by applying pressure to the opponent in the forecourt.
Forecourt Stats Reveal an Eagerness to Learn Atleast
The end of the match forecourt stats showed that although Zverev was way less effective than Haase when approaching the net, he at least came to the net more times than the Dutchman. This shows Zverev is atleast keen to try to add this skill to his game and attempt to win some of his points in the forecourt. It takes a lot of work and soft hands to become good at the net in a game of tennis which is why so many young players just don't bother. It's nice to see young talented players like Britain's Cameron Norrie and Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas already have that skill set to deploy, it looks easy on the eye when you watch them play.
The best way to learn quickly is to play doubles tournaments as well as single. I would like to see Zverev get more involved with doubles, maybe even with his older brother, they have competed in doubles ATP tournaments together before.
Against Haase Zverev came to the net to finish points off 21 times over the three sets and managed to put away 13 where as Haase came to the net 13 times and put away 10. Perhaps there's two weaknesses Zverev needs to work on here. Firstly his decision making on when to come to the net and when to stay back. Secondly his touch at the net and his body position, he still doesn't squat far enough down to take on the lower volleys and this leads to many of them not even going close to going back over. His preparation to take a volley needs work, this will allow him to bend at the knees earlier to prepare for more difficult volleys.
Breaks of Serve Galore
For two guys known for their solid serving games they both looked a bit out of sorts at times as the match consisted of 11 breaks of serve over 3 sets! But perhaps we need to focus on the return of serve which for both players but particularly Haase was impeccable, he barely missed a return into play the entire match on the Zverev serve.
Puddles of Sweat Say It All!
One of the smallest but most telling details towards the end of the match was the fact that Zverev had to change his trainers because they had become flooded with sweat. He was playing in puddles within his trainers! This shows just how hard he had to work to stay in the match last night against Haase.
Watch: Highlights of the Match
Watch: Robin Haase's Rather Laid Back Reaction to His First Top 10 Win of the Year
Haase to Face Carreno Busta
Haase's task won't get much easier going forward in Cincinatti, he now faces Spain's world number 13 Carreno Busta tonight in the next round for a chance to reach the quarter finals. He still stands a good chance against the Spaniard and I fancy him to cause another upset here.
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