Final:
Andrey Rublev (4) (Russia) v Alexander Zverev (3) (Germany)
Zverev had beaten Rublev in all of their four meetings, including the most recent - round of sixteen at the 2020 Australian Open.
Zverev had already won 16 titles from 25 finals - three this year, including the recent Tokyo gold medal, and the Madrid Masters 1000.
This was his ninth Masters 1000 final, having won four of the previous eight.
Rublev had won 8 titles from 12 finals, including this year in Rotterdam. This was his second Masters 1000 final, having previously lost to Tsitsipas in Monaco in April this year.
Zverev was fast out of the blocks, breaking Rublev in both of his first two service games, while holding to love in each of his own attempts at the line.
4-0 in a mere 17 minutes.
Some big serving helped put a score on the board for the Russian and he trailed 1-4.
Two love games followed, with both players throwing in a couple of aces for good measure. 5-2 Zverev.
Despite a double fault, a lucky Rublev net cord, and being taken to deuce, Zverev converted a set point, his second, putting away a forehand winner.
Half way to the title, 6-2 to the third seed.
As he had done in set one, Zverev broke Rublev straight away in the opening game of set two, the fourth seed netting a backhand on the first break point. Zverev’s love game consolidated the break for a 2-0 advantage.
From 30-30, Rublev contributed two aces and he was behind 1-2.
A double fault was the only black mark on the Zverev score sheet as he cruised his way to 3-1, winners flowing from the German racquet.
At 30-30 next game, Rublev couldn’t handle a Zverev return and pushed a forehand long. He saved the break point with an ace.
He saved a second break point, but on the third he could only finish in the net. 4-1 Zverev.
After Zverev’s fifth love game of the match, Rublev was serving to stay in the contest. He did so with a convincing service hold.
Now Zverev would serve for the title at 5-2.
At 30-15 Zverev double faulted. Then Rublev hit a forehand winner to bring up his first break point in the match on the German serve.
Another double fault and one of the breaks was retrieved. 3-5 Rublev.
Serving again to stay alive, Rublev found himself down 15-40 after three forehand errors, and facing two match points.
After the Russian netted a backhand, the match was done.
Alexander Zverev won the Western & Southern Open 6-2 6-3, his fifth Masters 1000 title. and fourth trophy for 2021.
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