Andy Roddick is backing Alexander Zverev to beat Andrey Rublev in thir ATP Finals group stage encounter on Friday because the Russian has been looking “super p****d” all week. The German world No. 7 holds a 5-3 advantage over Rublev in their overall head-to-head record but all three of Zverev’s defeats have been inflicted this year, suggesting he is up against it in Turin.
However, Rublev has lost his first two round-robin matches against Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz, leading former US Open champion Roddick to believe that the 26-year-old has already had enough of his time at the season-ending event.
Speaking about the Zverev v Rublev match on the Tennis Channel via a video link, Roddick said: “Rublev just looks super p***** this week. I don’t know if he’s going to be able to suck it up. I think he’s looking for the exit door.
“I love the rhythm on Zverev’s serve, I’ve mentioned it a couple of times this week, but it looks as fluid as I’ve ever seen it this week. I think he’s playing good stuff. I like Zverev moving forward in this one.”
Injured ATP tour player Nick Kyrgios, who is working as a pundit for the Tennis Channel during the ATP Finals, disagreed and went as far as to back the Russian to get the job done in straight sets.
When asked for his views on the outcome of the match in the studio, Kyrgios said: “I guess it’s a tough match-up for Zverev. Andrey’s got no real hold other than his serve can go off a little bit, but I’m actually going to go Rublev tomorrow. I think he’s not going to want to go home with zero [wins] and three [defeats].
“Look, he’s still got a slight hope to get through that group. I think he’s going to do the inevitable and win in straight sets tomorrow.”
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Zverev kicked off his ATP Finals campaign in fine style, beating Wimbledon champion Alcaraz 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday. But he was pegged back by Medvedev on Wednesday, with the US Open finalist inflicting a 7-6, 6-4.
After two rounds of matches, Zverev is currently second in the Red Group while Rublev is bottom but still has a chance of qualification. Medvedev tops the group while Alacarz sits third.
The top two will qualify for the semifinals where they can face one of two players from the Green Group, which is comprised of Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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