Good week / Bad week: Zverev & the Keys to happiness

From title winners to feel-good stories, by way of injury concerns and loss of form, it was a busy week in the world of tennis. But who excelled and who will be looking to do better at the Rogers Cup? This is good week / bad week.

Good week

Alexander Zverev: Any week that you win a title is definitely a good week. But it was less the fact that Alexander Zverev won Washington, and more the manner in which he did it that was so impressive. Yes, he lost a set in the first round. But after the post-Wimbledon ring rust wore off, he looked increasingly confident and, dare we say it, brilliant. Fingers crossed it’s a sign of things to come – particularly as he looks to make a Slam breakthrough.

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Madison Keys: It’s safe to say that Madison Keys’ return from injury hasn’t quite gone according to plan. But, finally, the American has real reasons to be confident. Not only did she scoop her maiden Stanford title (third career title), but she beat some quality opposition on the way. Is she capable of doing some damage at the bigger tournaments down the road? If her dismantling of Garbine Muguruza is anything to go by, then absolutely.

Thanasi Kokkinakis: The path of least resistance suggests that Sam Querrey is more deserved of a ‘Good Week’ mention than than Kokkinakis. But as the Aussie himself can testify, the path of least resistance is rarely worth walking. After two years of injuries, depression, and temptation to quit the sport, Thanasi Kokkinak is back where he belongs: mixing it with the ATP’s finest. Yes, he lost. But the confidence that the run to the Los Cabos title will bring, and the knowledge that he has overcome the demons, makes him a real winner.

An honourable mention to…
Kevin Anderson: Another return from injury story, the big South African reached his first final in two years after struggles with injury.

Bad week

Maria Sharapova: It’s just not going according to plan. After the comeback there was the injury, then another comeback. Now another injury. If Maria looked wobbly during her first round Stanford win over Jennifer Brady, that could be forgiven. But another injury – this time to her left forearm – forced her out of the Bank of the West Classic, and the Rogers Cup, and left us all wondering whether we’ll ever see a dominant Maria again.

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Stan Wawrinka: Stan Wawrinka’s decision to pull out of the rest of 2017 did not, perhaps, create the waves that Novak Djokovic’s announcement did. Perhaps it should have done. The tennis world expected Novak’s announcement, but more than a few were taken by surprise by Stan’s. That the reigning US Open champ will not defend his title is not only disappointing, but again raises concerns about the physical demands of an 11 month ATP season.

Dominic Thiem: There’s no shame in losing to Kevin Anderson, but Thiem has now officially been bageled by the South African – he’s 0-6 in their head to head. More worryingly, Thiem appears to be on a downward trajectory. After the Tour moved away from the clay, the Austrian has gone 2R, 1R, 4R, 3R in his last four tournaments. That’s a disappointing return for a player who has carved a reputation for himself of consistent excellence.

An honourable mention to…
Nick Kyrgios: After a spell on the sidelines, Kyrgios was supposed to come back re-energised and re-focused. He was anything but in his first round capitulation in Washington.