ALEXANDER Zverev has had a monumental week on the court, taking down everyone in his path to claim the Tokyo 2020 gold medal. Defeating world number one Novak Djokovic just two days ago, Zverev backed it up with a cool, calm and collected straight sets win over Russian Olympic Committee (ROC)’s Karen Khachanov. While Khachnov had his moments, Zverev was a man on a mission as he made history for his nation, claiming Germany’s first men’s individual Olympic gold at the games.

Zverev only required 79 minutes to claim the 6-3 6-1 victory over Khachanov, firing on all cylinders throughout to claim one of the biggest victories of his career thus far.

“This is so much bigger than anything else in sports, especially in tennis – this is an incredible feeling me for me right now,” Zverev said. “There is nothing better than this. You are not only playing for yourself, you are playing for your country, and the Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world. The feeling I have now, and will have, nothing will be better.”

Zverev fired 22 winners throughout, including six aces, dominating on serve with an 84 per cent win rate off his first serve well and truly paying dividends. The German also broke four times and denied Khachanov his lone break point opportunity.

“He played from the beginning to the end an unbelievable match,” Khachanov said. “I also played an outstanding match from my point of view, but he was just better today – all credit to him. For me, the Olympics stands alongside as the Grand Slams, that’s why I trained for this as soon as Wimbledon was over. I was dreaming of gold, but I’ll give it a try at the next Olympics.”

OLYMPICS MEN’S GOLD MEDAL MATCH RESULT:

[4] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated Karen Khachanov (ROC) 6-3 6-1

Picture credit: Kopatsch/Sato/Sidorjak