I can be one of the best in the world - Zverev defiant after return to winning ways

Dom Farrell

I can be one of the best in the world - Zverev defiant after return to winning ways image

Alexander Zverev has no doubt he can mix it with the very best in the world after claiming his first ATP Tour title of 2019 at the Geneva Open.

The 22-year-old German has struggled for his best form since losing to Nick Kyrgios in the final of the Acapulco Open in March and was forced to dig deep to see off Chile's Nicolas Jarry 6-3 3-6 7-6 (10-8).

Zverev saved two match points in a rain-interrupted encounter against Jarry, who beat him in the opening round in Barcelona last month.

It meant an 11th career title overall, but Zverev insists he is more concerned about the bigger picture of hitting top form, especially with the French Open on the horizon next week.

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"When I start playing good, I don't worry about titles. I know that I can be one of the best players in the world when I find my rhythm," he told the ATP Tour's official website. "This week definitely helped with that.

"It was a very tough match. He was playing aggressively, serving big and hitting everything he can.

"I thought I was in control until the rain came, but I'm happy to find a way. I felt it could have gone either way."

Zverev is seeded fifth at Roland Garros and begins his campaign against Australia's John Millman.

Jarry will take his impressive form into a mouth-watering encounter against fellow South American and eighth seed Juan Martin del Potro.

Dom Farrell

Dom Farrell Photo

Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.