ALEXANDER Zverev has stormed to consecutive Cologne titles and given himself some serious form ahead of the Paris Masters next week with a 6-2 6-1 domination of Argentinian Diego Schwartzman in the final of the Cologne Championship. The world number seven moved to eight straight wins in the city having claimed the Cologne Indoors the week before, then doubling up with the Championship title today.

In this final, he smashed Schwatzman on his way to his 13th Tour title, putting together some of his best form. The German top seed served nine aces and no double faults compared to Schwarzman’s zero aces and five double faults. He also won 83 per cent of his first serve points – dropping just five for the match – as well as half of his second serve points to level the head-to-head against the Argentinian.

“It’s getting better,” Zverev said post-match. “I think we’re going to be on top of the game very soon.”

Zverev only faced one break point and saved it, whilst capitalising on five of eight against the usually consistent Schwartzman. It was a match to forget for the diminutive South American, who only won the 13 points on return, as well as 26 points on serve, with a total of 39 per cent points won for the match. It was not the result the world number nine would have liked, as her remains perilously inside the spots for the ATP Finals given Swiss star Roger Federer’s injury.

“Sascha was much better today,” Schwartzman said post-match. “He deserved to win last week here and today he was perfect on court.”

Since the ATP Tour resumed in August from the COVID-19 pandemic, Zverev is running at a hot 17-3, almost claiming the US Open title being two sets to love up before falling to Dominic Thiem.

Zverev will rest up this week after his hectic schedule, deciding to avoid the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, instead focusing on the Paris Masters the next week. Schwartzman is scheduled to play Dusan Lajovic in the first round in Vienna, with a potential quarter finals clash against Novak Djokovic in store for a stacked tournament.

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