The younger generations finally made a move over the summer. In Montreal, a 20-year-old won the Masters 1000 event. In Cincinnati, a 21-year-old made the final, and a 26-year-old finally won his first Masters championship. The 30-something dominance of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal gave way to the players who had been unable to break through and become regular forces on the tour. At last, players under 30 – and even under 27 – were able to make their presence felt. This adds a noticeable twist to the lead-up to the United States Open.
Alexander Zverev
The German, who won a Masters event on clay in Rome in late May, resurfaced in Montreal. He lost early at Roland Garros and blew a two-sets-to-one lead in the fourth round of Wimbledon against Milos Raonic, but in Montreal, he was razor sharp. He pounded his serve, drilled his two-handed crosscourt backhand, covered the court, and won a 49-stroke match point early in the tournament against Richard Gasquet to stay alive. When he faced adversity, he responded perfectly. Zverev wins with his shotmaking, with his quickness, and with his poise. He brings all of those things to the table, and if he can continue to do those things in New York, he will have a chance to win the United States Open.
Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios is, like Zverev, part of the next generation, but despite being a year older than Zverev, his development as a player has been slower, primarily because of his fitness. Kyrgios has retired from a lot of matches, and he wore out rather easily in Montreal, losing meekly to Zverev. It didn’t seem that he was going to have enough energy and stamina to go through the whole field in Cincinnati. On Friday of last week, he had to play two matches in one day, and he played three sets in the first match of the day, a win over Ivo Karlovic. He had to come back and play a night match against Rafael Nadal, but he managed to blast his serve and quickly win the first set. The second set was closer and longer, but Kyrgios made fewer mistakes and capitalized on his opportunities. He played a great match in the semifinals to beat David Ferrer, and he reached his first Masters 1000 final as a result. Kyrgios did not win the tournament, but he registered his biggest achievement in tennis to date. He might finally have some confidence, as well as added confirmation that he can play better tennis if his body cooperates. His future at the United States Open got brighter.
Grigor Dimitrov
It was a long time coming, but Dimitrov finally played complete tennis for a full week at a big tournament. He defused big servers Feliciano Lopez and Juan Martin del Potro. He won two tiebreakers against John Isner in the semifinals, playing the big points really well and showing composure in important moments. He then got Kyrgios in the final, and while Kyrgios was on a hot streak, having beaten Nadal in the quarterfinals, Dimitrov started the match strongly, saved a break point a few games in, and sent the message that he was in control of the run of play. He consistently remained the better player in the match and did not get shaken when Kyrgios kept holding his own serve in the second set. Dimitrov got to 5-5, waited for his chance, and then broke Kyrgios before serving out the match at 7-5. Dimitrov was the best player in Cincinnati. He was also the most prepared. He should come to the United States Open with great confidence,
David Ferrer
The 35-year-old seemed to be washed up when Wimbledon ended. He had done nothing in the first half of the season. His ranking plummeted. Yet, in a small clay tournament after Wimbledon, he won. That seemed to give him a spark. He played well in Montreal before losing to Roger Federer. He moved into the Cincinnati quarterfinals and outplayed Dominic Thiem, a much younger player. Ferrer is thinking properly, moving fluidly, and processing the game well again. He is not over the hill as previously feared by many.
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