Alexander Zverev embraces aggressive play to chase elusive Grand Slam

INDIAN WELLS – Alexander Zverev said he is beginning to see the benefits of a more aggressive playing style that he introduced in 2026 in his quest for a Grand Slam title.

The towering German has a massive serve but in the biggest moments at major tournaments would often opt to play it safe and, in the process, present his opponent with a chance to pounce.

Now, the 28-year-old is prepared to take risks in pursuit of his elusive first Major title, adding that he is “willing to pay the price” for any losses incurred as he adapts.

“It's exciting, but it will take time,” he told reporters after his 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-4 round-of-32 win over American Brandon Nakashima at Indian Wells on March 8.

“I’m still trying to win matches here, so sometimes I will go back to my old self.

“But I think in important moments like today in the tiebreak, I won the tiebreak myself. I won the tiebreak by playing aggressive tennis, and that’s something to look forward to and to be excited about.”

He said the new playing style did not work out for him when he suffered a surprising loss to Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in Acapulco in late February, but he remains resolute in his efforts.

Zverev, a seven-time Masters 1000 champion, showcased tremendous fighting spirit during a five-hour, 27-minute Australian Open semi-final against eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in January.

Although he has never triumphed at Indian Wells, he expressed confidence in the faster hard courts in the California desert.

“I still think I can do well here,” he said.

Zverev will next face American Frances Tiafoe, who beat Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 6-2 in a rematch of the March 1 final in Acapulco won by the Italian.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner took another step toward a first Indian Wells title on March 8, easing past Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-2 to reach the last 16 and a clash with exciting Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca.

“It’s a very tough second match for me,” the Italian said. “He’s a very high-quality player... he had great wins in the past, so I’m very happy about today’s performance.”

Fonseca, who saved two match points in his second-round victory over Karen Khachanov, beat another seeded player, American Tommy Paul, 6-2, 6-3.

Rising US talent Learner Tien knocked out eighth-seeded compatriot Ben Shelton 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3 and will next face 18th-seeded Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina – a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 winner over 12th seed Jakub Mensik.

In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff retired from her third-round match on March 8 with a “scary” left arm injury that “felt like it was on fire” but was optimistic she could sort out the problem in time to play in Miami.

The 21-year-old world No. 4 was trailing Alexandra Eala 6-2, 2-0 when the American called it a day, sending the rising star from the Philippines into the last 16.

“I felt it, like, the second game of the first set,” Gauff said. “I guess a simple way to put it, it felt like a firework was going off inside of my arm, and then my whole arm felt like it was on fire.

“It was a scary feeling,” she noted, adding that she would have an MRI scan to get an accurate diagnosis of what she has been told is likely a nerve-related issue.

Eala will face the Czech Linda Noskova for a place in the quarter-finals. REUTERS, AFP