As of: January 24, 2024 3:20 p.m
Alexander Zverev has reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open. The tennis professional from Hamburg prevailed in four sets after an impressive performance against Spanish co-favorite Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne on Wednesday.
After around three hours of play in the Rod Laver Arena it was 6:1, 6:3, 6:7 (2:7), 6:4 for Germany’s number one. The 26-year-old showed his best performance of the tournament so far against the world number two, acting with concentration, running and nerves strong. After Zverev gave up a 5-2 lead in the third set, Alcaraz came out stronger, but the Olympic champion held on, won the match with a lot of passion and can continue to dream of the first Grand Slam title of his career.
Now it’s against Medvedev
“When you are so close to victory, you start to think. I’m happy to have made it in the end,” said Zverev, who was struggling with pain in his feet: “I have a lot of blood under my toenails. But I feel “I’d rather be the way I feel now than be home already.”
The opponent in the semi-finals on Friday is Daniil Medvedev. The Hamburger doesn’t have to hide from the Russian third in the world rankings after his gala performance: “He often kicked my ass. But maybe that’s the place,” said Zverev, who extended his positive record against Alcaraz to five wins in eight games.
Further information
Alexander “Sascha” Zverev is Germany’s best tennis player. The career of the Olympic champion from Hamburg in pictures. Image gallery
Zverev initially flawless…
Zverev had been on the pitch in Melbourne for five hours longer than Alcaraz, but there was initially no sign of fatigue or lack of strength from the sixth in the world rankings. On the contrary: Zverev got off to a furious start, taking the Wimbledon winner’s first service game to zero. While the Spaniard made mistakes after mistakes, his opponent played with concentration and also served well. After almost half an hour, the Hamburg player had won the first set.
… but Alcaraz with morals
In the second round, Alcaraz improved, but could only keep up with the score at 3:3. After that, he found no means against Zverev’s courageous and precise punches. The Olympic champion confidently took the second set. Germany’s number one didn’t show any weakness for a long time in the third round either. After the break to make it 3-1, it initially looked like a breakthrough. But Alcaraz fought back to 5:5 and then won the tiebreak to win the set.
Thrilling exchange of blows in round four
In the fourth set, Zverev managed to break in the first service game – but he immediately gave up the advantage by losing his own serve. In general, Alcaraz seemed more confident from rally to rally, while his Hamburg opponent appeared more skeptical.
The 26-year-old was plagued by blood blisters on his foot, so he took a medical timeout after the third round. But Zverev bit his teeth and got the break to 5:4. He then served to win, converting his first match point after 3:06 hours and reaching the round of the last four in Melbourne for the second time.
Further information
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Sports current | 01/24/2024 | 4:17 p.m