French Open
Zverev reaches semifinals in Paris – and then breaks off TV interview in annoyance
This time Alexander Zverev only needed three energy-saving sets against the Australian Alex De Minaur to leave the court as the winner
© Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Alexander Zverev is in the semifinals of the French Open after his victory over the Australian Alex De Minaur. In a TV interview afterwards, he is annoyed by the person asking the question.
Compared to his two previous five-set thrillers, the quarterfinal victory at the French Open was a blessing for Alexander Zverev. “It was very important to win in three sets again and not to play for four and a half hours. With a view to the semi-finals, it is simply better that I am physically at 100 percent,” said the German tennis star after the 6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:4 against the Australian outsider Alex De Minaur on Wednesday evening.
His semifinal opponent Casper Ruud will be much more rested on Court Philippe Chatrier on Friday. The Norwegian, who benefited from defending champion Novak Djokovic’s injury-related quarterfinal withdrawal, has three days off. Zverev does not believe that this will necessarily put him at a disadvantage: “Physically, I feel good. I have no physical worries. I hope it stays that way and I can play a good match.”
Alexander Zverev: Must play my best tennis
Zverev, who is in the semifinals of the Grand Slam tournament on clay for the fourth time in a row but has so far always missed the final, said of the duel with tactician Ruud: “I think I have to play my best tennis to have a chance.”
When it came to Ruud, Zverev had practically left the reporter in a Eurosport interview. The Hamburg native was asked why the semi-final against the Norwegian would not be lost in three sets this time, unlike last year. “I don’t know if the result will be different. We’ll see on Friday,” Zverev replied, visibly annoyed. When asked how he assessed the match, he said: “Those were three questions.” Then he broke off the interview.