2023-09-03 11:51:39
Thanks to physical superiority, Alexander Zverev defeats his opponent at the US Open. The tennis star raves about the sorely missed atmosphere and is looking forward to the next highlight.
New York.
Tired but happy, Alexander Zverev was already looking forward to his next big appearance at the US Open more than half an hour after midnight.
After the hard-fought third round victory over the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrow, the tennis Olympic champion raved about the electrifying floodlight atmosphere of New York and was looking forward to the round of 16 duel with the world number six Jannik Sinner. “I think that the atmosphere will be a highlight again,” said the 26-year-old about the upcoming difficult test. “He’s one of the best players in the world right now.”
With fighting spirit in the round of 16
Zverev previously enjoyed his fourth round of 16 in a row at the Grand Slam tournament in Flushing Meadows. He threw the ball high into the night sky and roared with his mouth wide open towards his appendix with girlfriend Sophia Thomalla in the stands. Thanks to great fighting spirit and superior fitness, the 26-year-old defeated Dimitrov 6:7 (2:7), 7:6 (10:8), 6:1, 6:1 in 3:42 hours. After losing the first set, Zverev was already 2: 4 behind in the second round, but made the comeback.
“The first two sets were the best sets I’ve played this year. It was a ridiculously high level from both of us,” said Zverev. “It was a brilliant match. We physically killed each other in the first two sets.” The first two runs alone took almost two and a half hours. Only then was the former world number two able to demonstrate his superiority – also because Dimitrov, who was six years his senior, was visibly injured, only moved sluggishly and had to be treated on his knee.
Becker praise to Zverev and opponents
“A big compliment from me. It was very good in terms of play. The fact that he was behind was also due to Dimitrov, who played world class,” praised tennis legend Boris Becker as an expert for Sportdeutschland.TV. “But Sascha stayed consistent and ultimately won the match physically. He always believed in his chance.”
Zverev had won the last five duels, this year at the French Open and at the US Open dress rehearsal in Cincinnati he even dominated Dimitrov. But especially at the end of the first set, the world number 19 succeeded. almost everything. Zverev often went to the net, but kept looking for perfect passing balls.
The Hamburger seemed at a loss and struggled with Dimitrov’s flat, undercut backhand. In the tie-break, the first five points went to the Bulgarian, who later secured the opening set after 70 minutes.
Zverev conceded a break in the middle of the second set, slipped away once and was on the ground. He quickly got up again – which was also a symbol for the match. After a successful ball, he asked the audience to cheer, with the support of the fans in the second largest stadium at the US Open, Zverev came back into the game. “I love these moments, I missed that last year,” said the Hamburger, who was missing in New York in 2022 due to a serious ankle injury. “There’s no atmosphere like New York at night.”
Two set balls repelled
In the second tie-break, Zverev fended off two of his opponent’s set balls with strong serves, and he won the round with a placed return. Dimitrov could see the exertion, he was breathing heavily between rallies. Zverev kept the pressure up and made two early breaks. Dimitrov’s resistance was broken, after only 28 minutes Zverev won the third round – and also remained sovereign in the fourth set with clear physical advantages.
He is proud of his physique, said Zverev. “I’ve always shown in the past that I can be there in five-set matches. I hope that will be the case the day after tomorrow.” Against Sinner it should also depend on the strength on Monday (local time). Zverev has been on the pitch for more than nine and a half hours in three games, the South Tyrolean more than two hours less.
“I expect it to be incredibly difficult. I expect the level to be incredibly high,” said Zverev. “Physically he is very strong again”, praised Sinner his next opponent. It was “nice to play against him.”
The road to the hoped-for second US Open final after 2020 is still difficult for Zverev: If successful, Zverev could face a duel with the Spanish defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. (dpa)
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