<p class="title">Alexander Zverev says defending his ATP Washington Open title shows growing in strength and maturity, but the world number three still sees a big gap to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 21-year-old German won his third title of the year and the ninth of his career by defeating Australian teen Alex De Minaur 6-2, 6-4 in the 50th edition of the US Open tuneup event.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"What a fantastic week for me," Zverev said. "Winning a tournament on its 50th anniversary is something amazing. This has been a very special week for me.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"(Defending a title) feels great and shows mental strength as well. It shows a little maturity I think."</p>.<p class="bodytext">While Zverev stands atop a generation of rising young stars, he still puts 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer, 36, and 17-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, 32, on the highest of pedestals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Roger and Rafa are still the best out there and still competing for Grand Slam titles," he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Murray 'shock'</p>.<p class="bodytext">De Minaur reached the semi-finals when three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray withdrew Friday after three grueling three-set matches in only his third event since missing 11 months with a right hip injury.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"To go from nothing to back-to-backs like that was quite a shock to the system. He was a bit beaten up," said Andy's brother Jamie Murray, who won the doubles title with Brazilian Bruno Soares.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Murray also withdrew from next week's event in Canada but plans to play in Cincinnati the following week.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Andy is on his way back," Zverev said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"He looked unbelievable here. It's going to be great to see what he can do."</p>.<p class="bodytext">In the companion WTA event final, two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova saved four match points and rallied to defeat Croatia's Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 for her 18th career title.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was the 33-year-old Russian's first crown since 2016 in Moscow and second in Washington after 2014.</p>
<p class="title">Alexander Zverev says defending his ATP Washington Open title shows growing in strength and maturity, but the world number three still sees a big gap to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 21-year-old German won his third title of the year and the ninth of his career by defeating Australian teen Alex De Minaur 6-2, 6-4 in the 50th edition of the US Open tuneup event.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"What a fantastic week for me," Zverev said. "Winning a tournament on its 50th anniversary is something amazing. This has been a very special week for me.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"(Defending a title) feels great and shows mental strength as well. It shows a little maturity I think."</p>.<p class="bodytext">While Zverev stands atop a generation of rising young stars, he still puts 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer, 36, and 17-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, 32, on the highest of pedestals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Roger and Rafa are still the best out there and still competing for Grand Slam titles," he said.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Murray 'shock'</p>.<p class="bodytext">De Minaur reached the semi-finals when three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray withdrew Friday after three grueling three-set matches in only his third event since missing 11 months with a right hip injury.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"To go from nothing to back-to-backs like that was quite a shock to the system. He was a bit beaten up," said Andy's brother Jamie Murray, who won the doubles title with Brazilian Bruno Soares.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Murray also withdrew from next week's event in Canada but plans to play in Cincinnati the following week.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Andy is on his way back," Zverev said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"He looked unbelievable here. It's going to be great to see what he can do."</p>.<p class="bodytext">In the companion WTA event final, two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova saved four match points and rallied to defeat Croatia's Donna Vekic 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 for her 18th career title.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was the 33-year-old Russian's first crown since 2016 in Moscow and second in Washington after 2014.</p>