Wawrinka v Zverev in St. Petersburg Final; Thiem Faces Pouille For Metz Title
by Staff | September 24th, 2016, 11:13 pm
  • 33 Comments

Stan Wawrinka will look to win his 12th straight ATP final Sunday when he takes on 19-year-old Alexander Zverev for the St. Petersburg title.

Wawrinka ran his win streak to 10 after dismantling Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6, 6-2 to reach the final on Saturday.

Zverev earned his first career Top 10 win beating Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4.

“I just needed to serve well in the first place, and I did. Then I had to play aggressively,” Zverev said. “Berdych is always trying to dictate the point, and I had to take it away from him. It worked.”

It’s the German’s third career ATP final, he’s never won a crown. Neither player has lost a set this week.

In Metz, the home fans will have someone to cheer about in the final as Frenchman Lucas Pouille, a quarterfinalist in the last two Grand Slams, will take on Dominic Thiem.

Pouille outdueled David Goffin 7-6, 6-1 to reach his second career ATP final.

“I had chances to go up two breaks and maybe win the first set 6-1 or 6-2, but he found a way to come back,” said Pouille. “I held strong in the tie-break, then started to really play freely in the second set. I’m feeling good physically on the court after my US Open run. Quicker than before.”

Meanwhile, Thiem had to fight off 2-time tournament champion Gilles Simon, edging the veteran 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. Simon served for the match in the second set at 5-4 but couldn’t seal it allowing Thiem to reach his sixth final of the year.

“I expected a very hard match,” said Thiem who now leads Simon 3-2. “We always have long rallies. If he played one more good game at 5-4, the match is finished.

“It’s a dream to play in six finals. I never expected it. It’s always something really special.”

Thiem improves to 21-1 in deciding sets on the season.

Pouille beat Thiem in their only meeting last year on the clay in Monte Carlo.

The women’s final in Tokyo features former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki against 18-year-old Noami Osaka.


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33 Comments for Wawrinka v Zverev in St. Petersburg Final; Thiem Faces Pouille For Metz Title

Alexandra Says:

I thought Zverev beat Fed in Halle, so that should have been his first Top 10 win???

September 25th, 2016 at 9:43 am


elina Says:

He did.

Staff is wrong.

#Reusable

September 25th, 2016 at 11:33 am


Noonen Says:

Sasha just won. Wow, looked like it couldn’t happen. I prayed to Jesus he would. For you Christians, remember, when things look impossible, Jesus can still answer your prayers. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

September 25th, 2016 at 12:07 pm


Van Persie Says:

I did not pray to Jesus, but I am glad that Sascha won. Big congrats to him and to Lucas for their maiden titles.

September 25th, 2016 at 1:01 pm


Margot Says:

Wow! Coming of age for Sascha first ATP title and beats Grand Slam Champion in the process. Has massive serve and huge forehand but is so much more than that.
Reminds me so much physically of a young Andy- long gawky limbs and wild hair.
Congrats to Lucas too, another favourite of mine.

September 25th, 2016 at 1:32 pm


Margot Says:

Wow! Coming of age for Sascha first ATP title and beats Grand Slam Champion in the process. Has massive serve and huge forehand but is so much more than that.
Reminds me so much physically of a young Andy- long gawky limbs and wild hair.
Congrats to Lucas too, another favourite of mine.

September 25th, 2016 at 1:32 pm


Margot Says:

Double post? Hello?

September 25th, 2016 at 1:33 pm


Willow Says:

Was pulling for Stan and Dominic, but im, still happy for Sascha and Lucas though congrats to both ;-)) ….

September 25th, 2016 at 1:42 pm


Willow Says:

Nice picture of Stan BTW ….

September 25th, 2016 at 2:49 pm


Danica Says:

Yay Sasha! Great win!!

September 25th, 2016 at 3:04 pm


J-Kath Says:

Stan doesn’t bother with anything other than Grand Slams – at which he’s getting pretty good. However, good to hear the “younger” generation are finding some back-bone.

Will still struggle (me thinks) for another couple of years – after all Nole, Andy and Rafa (and Stan) still playing winning tennis when push comes to shove.

September 25th, 2016 at 3:15 pm


chrisford1 Says:

For J-Kath,

1. Throw a healthy del Potro in the mix. As dangerous as Warinka to the Big 4.
2. Speaking of the big 4, Fed is still a member, in emeritus status. Both Fed and Rafa may have comebacks in 2017. I don’t think any Slam trophies will come their way, but they both could have great wins, maybe a Masters Title or two.
3. Stan will never be the top-ranked player. He just lacks the week in week out consistency.
4. Andy and Novak are the most consistent. Therefore, they will be fighting for #1 in 2017. No one else.
5. It of course is a certainty that one or a few of the current 20 somethings will replace the 30 somethings now that the top. The only question is who and when. Maybe it will be like the 1st half of the Weak Era when 8 guys were number one with 15 changes to #1 amongst them before Federer took command of the 2nd half of the weak era until Rafa got him. After that we have had 13 years of 3 guys only in the Age of the Big 4. (with 8 changes in lead between them).

September 25th, 2016 at 4:29 pm


Willow Says:

I Dont think Delpo has the stamina for B2B 5 setters against the elite players, he pulled out of DC last week after beating Murray ….

September 25th, 2016 at 4:36 pm


J-Kath Says:

Chrisford1

Echo Willow’s comments – Delpo will certainly leap up the rankings – but his playing style (and carrying that huge body around in 5 sets consistently) seems against the odds – after all he has less variety overall than most of the top opponents.
Think his maximum ranking will be 5. Is excellent of course but…

September 25th, 2016 at 6:05 pm


jalep Says:

I’m not happy about Pouille beating Dominic Thiem again. This could turn out to be a match-up problem…I worry.

Happy that Lucas won his first ATP Title though, of course. (Just not against Dominic lol…)

Thrilled for Sascha😘 and beating Stan, a 3 time GS champ, and Berdych makes it even sweeter!

September 25th, 2016 at 6:23 pm


Wog Boy Says:

My major concern with Delpo is his health, not stamina. He still doesn’t hit his BH full on, mostly slices only occasionally proper BH.
People tend to forget that in masters there are no 5 setters B2B and in GS they have dayd off between the matches. Even not fully recovered Delpo took one set from Andy in Rio, managed to beat Nole and Rafa and outplayed and outlasted Andy in five hours match in Glasgow, difference between Glasgow and Rio was Rafa, every three set match with Rafa is like normal five set match and Delpo played Rafa in SF, he was done for the next day final, but yet he pushed Andy hard and took one set, in Glasgow they were both fresh and rested and I’ll repeat, Delpo is yet to reach his 100%.

September 25th, 2016 at 6:26 pm


Wog Boy Says:

As for yesterday finals, I didn’t care so much for Stan and Zverev, neither of them is my favorite (to much of blond curly hair flying in the air), but I wanted Thiem to win, but it wasn’t meant to be.

September 25th, 2016 at 6:35 pm


Okiegal Says:

I just don’t think Jesus is the least bit concerned about tennis………

September 26th, 2016 at 2:00 am


J-Kath Says:

Wogboy

When it comes to tennis, not sure if there is a major difference between health and stamina – can you have one without the other over the span of a testing tournament irrespective of 3 or 5 setters. ??

September 26th, 2016 at 3:39 am


Wog Boy Says:

JK,

To be more precise, with “health” I meant injuries and injuries are not the same as stamina.

September 26th, 2016 at 4:08 am


Willow Says:

Thanks J-Kath hes been great this year, but as Wogboy says best of 3 is different to best of 5, which was exactly the point i was making, and you see him bending over panting like a lizard in those too, he hasnt even won a Masters 1000, or been in another GS final, all very well for people to say if this if that !, wait till this, wait till that etc!, but the guy aint getting any younger, and the world of tennis is moving on ….

September 26th, 2016 at 5:17 am


Van Persie Says:

Regarding injuries and stamina, I think Rafa has more stamina issues then injuries lately, my pov. He did not reach Quarter finals since FO 2015. It is a surprise that Roger had a better run at slams in 2015 and 2016 then Rafa.

September 26th, 2016 at 6:13 am


Van Persie Says:

CF1,

“2. Speaking of the big 4, Fed is still a member, in emeritus status. Both Fed and Rafa may have comebacks in 2017. I don’t think any Slam trophies will come their way, but they both could have great wins, maybe a Masters Title or two.”

agree with you that Fed could be still a valuable member of the Big 4. If we compare Fed and Rafa in 2015 and 2016 Fed had a much better run at GSlams. Rafa’s best performance was Quarterfinals at the FO 2015.

September 26th, 2016 at 6:17 am


Van Persie Says:

CF1,

“2. Speaking of the big 4, Fed is still a member, in emeritus status. Both Fed and Rafa may have comebacks in 2017. I don’t think any Slam trophies will come their way, but they both could have great wins, maybe a Masters Title or two.”

Agree with you nhere, and according to the stats from 2015 and 2016, Fed should have better chances at a GS then Rafa. Rafa’s best performance at a GS was Quarterfinal at the FO 2015. Fed played in 2015 2 slam finals and 2 semifinals in 2016!

September 26th, 2016 at 6:22 am


Willow Says:

It certainly doesnt go down well if you disagree with something with the majority on this forum, or dare to want another player to win something, i mean god forbid, and to think years ago people used to think i was some apologetic people pleaser, like Mem wonder if shes reading this ? ….

September 26th, 2016 at 6:24 am


Van Persie Says:

^^ That’s not real tennis. who cares?

September 26th, 2016 at 8:37 am


Alexandra Says:

Happy to see some first time winners. Don’t care too much about Thiem. He plays way too many small tournaments. Put your attention on bigger goals now Dominik. You are a Top Ten man now.

September 26th, 2016 at 8:55 am


Wog Boy Says:

It is “Dominic” Aleksandra;)

September 26th, 2016 at 9:44 am


jalep Says:

Willow, I have a laundry list of excuses, some lame, some not too bad, and I could defend away all day regards Dear Delpo 😄 But truly, I’m not all that interesting on the subject and hey, your opinion is fine by me, I mean I like it even if I don’t completely agree and sometimes it’s just as well to let time play it all out and see.

Also fun to speculate this and that. I basically think Delpo is being mature and sensible. He didn’t try to be the hero on that Sunday of Davis Cup — Leonardo Mayer got to play his part. And it could give Mayer the boost he needs to improve his singles career…maybe. Win-win.

.

September 26th, 2016 at 10:52 am


Willow Says:

Jalep thanks,thats the reason we get on so well, as we can agree to disagree, and i like Delpo too, cheers lovely lady ;-)) ….

September 26th, 2016 at 5:13 pm


J-Kath Says:

Wogboy

Yes, DP has had injuries and may still be protecting himself.
He will have a good career still….because I don’t buy into “if” this hadn’t happened, or “if” that had happened with any of them, I include DP on the basis of what is, is what it is.

September 26th, 2016 at 6:32 pm

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