The second edition of Patrick Mouratoglou’s Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) is about to take place this weekend but without the presence of its “key player” Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek sensation has spent a fantastic vacation in Greece and he will probably spend the next few week,s for getting ready for the US swing. Tsitsipas was meant to play the Citi Open in Washington, but unfortunately, the event has been canceled.
Zverev, Auger Aliassime and Dimitrov joining the competition
The good news is that some top players such as Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger Aliassime, Grigor Dimitrov, and also Fernando Verdasco have agreed to compete. They will join 6 other players that have already enjoyed the first edition of the UTS: Benoit Paire, Richard Gasquet, Alexei Popyrin, Feliciano Lopez, Corentin, Moutet and Dustin Brown.
8 players are placed in 2 groups to try to qualify for the final 4 where they will face Zverev and Auger Aliassime.
Zverev and his PR problems
This will be the first time that Sascha Zverev will play an event after the PR disaster that followed the Adria Tour. The German was later caught breaking his promise to auto isolate when he was filmed dancing with his girlfriend and some models in the bar in the South of France. Following some criticism of the tournament, organizer, later Zverev decided not to play anymore a competition in Berlin. In the meantime, the German started a partnership with David Ferrer that, according to rumors, needs to be finalized with a formal contract. The UTS will be an interesting test about Zverev’s condition.
The UTS and women
As promised by Mouratoglou, the UTS will have also a (reduced) format for women with the participation of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Ons Jabeur, Alize Cornet, and 13-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova.
Alexander Zverev in 2020
Currently the world no.7, the German played his last match on the 26th of February when he lost to Tommy Paul 6-3 6-4 in the 2nd round in Acapulco.
Alexander Zverev’s most significant performance of this year was getting to the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
Felix Auger Aliassime in 2020
Currently ranked no.20, Felix played his last match on the 26th of February when he capitulated to Kyle Edmund 6-4 6-4 in the 2nd round in Acapulco.
Felix Auger Aliassime’s most significant result of the year was getting to the final in Rotterdam and Marseille.
Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger Aliassime played each other twice. The head to head is 2-0 for Zverev. The last time that they fought against each other, Alexander Zverev won 6-3 6-1 in the 2nd round in Beijing (China Open) in October 2019.
Grigor Dimitrov in 2020
Currently ranked no.19, the Bulgarian played his last match on the 28th of February when he lost to Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in Acapulco.
Grigor Dimitrov’s best result of the year was reaching the semi-finals in Acapulco.
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2020
Now ranked no.6, the Greek played his last match on the 7th of March when he beat Jeson Patrombon 6-2 6-1 in the Rubber 4 of the Davis Cup.
Currently, this year the Greek has a 11-5 win-loss record. Stefanos clinched 1 title in Marseille. Tsitsipas was the finalist in Dubai.
Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas have never played each other.
