2021 US Open First Round – Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey taking place? Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey on and what time does it start? Tuesday 31st August, 2021 – not before 17:00 (UK)
What surface is Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey being played on? Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey
What channel is Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey on in the UK? Amazon have exclusive rights to show the 2021 US Open in the UK so it is worth checking the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs for Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey
Where can I stream Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Alexander Zverev vs Sam Querrey live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
ALEXANDER ZVEREV
Alexander Zverev rose to world number four last Monday following his second Masters title, and third title overall, of the season at the Cincinnati Open. The German enjoyed a stunning run to a shock Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games before that and, whilst the Olympics are not part of the ATP tour, he is carrying an 11-match winning streak on hard courts following his round of 16 loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime at Wimbledon in July. 24-year-old Zverev was two sets up in the US Open final here a year ago before capitulating to finish runner-up to Dominic Thiem and he will be serious about returning.
SAM QUERREY
33-year-old Sam Querrey is rising a five-match losing streak into the US Open in what has been a largely disappointing, stop-start season for the former world number 11. Querrey has 10 ATP titles to his name and he has won six of them on US soil. However, the grass specialist is best known for his excellent campaigns at Wimbledon over the years. Querrey beat then world number one Novak Djokovic on his way to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2016 and backed that up by beating Andy Murray, also world number one at the time, a year later to reach the semi-finals. His best showing at Flushing Meadows is a quarter-final exit to the eventual champion Rafael Nadal in 2019.
THE PREDICTION
World number four Alexander Zverev is one of the most in-form players coming into the US Open and there is plenty expected of him here. The 24-year-old has often struggled with that pressure but this season feels a lot different, with last season’s runners-up finish his motivation for more in 2021. He often struggles to assert himself in the first rounds of Grand Slams, with lower-ranked players taking him to four and five sets at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros this season, respectively, and Sam Querrey is no pushover. Zverev has won both of their previous meetings in straight sets but he is riding an 11-match winning streak here and getting used to three sets could see him drop one to the American. Take Zverev as the outright winner here in what is a tricky opening draw.
