French Open 2023 – Alexander Zverev solves a tricky task in the quarterfinals against Tomás Martín Etcheverry

“It was the most difficult match so far because he was the best player I’ve played against,” he said Alexander Zverev in the Eurosport interview his opponent.

Tomás Martín Etcheverry plays “insane tennis, he hadn’t lost a set before and reached the quarterfinals – you don’t get there that easily.”

Rightly so, because Tomás Martín Etcheverry proved right from the start that he is only the clear outsider on paper.

The Argentine, who had reached the quarter-finals without losing a set, stood up to Zverev.

“It’s not without risk. Sascha adapts to his opponent’s game, which can only be good for Etcheverry,” warned Eurosport expert Boris Becker – especially since Zverev let his first two breakballs pass unused.

In the seventh game, the Olympic champion did better and got the first break of the game to make it 4:3.

After 52 minutes, Zverev took the lead in the set. “Good work, good tennis, it’s going in the right direction,” praised Becker.

Etcheverry remained an unpleasant opponent. The world number 49, still without a title on the ATP Tour but with three tournament wins on clay on the Challenger Tour, brought his service games through at the beginning of the second set. “He’s acting much more aggressively now,” Becker remarked.

Etcheverry gets the equalizer

The result: Etcheverry earned his first break and took a 4-2 lead. Both players now showed nerves and gave up the following service games before the 23-year-old South American – deservedly – equalized the set.

And Etcheverry used the momentum, fighting for a 2-0 lead in the third set. “He’s playing his best tennis now,” said Becker. Zverev threatened to slip away from the game. All the more impressive how the 26-year-old flipped the switch and pulled away with five games in a row. With his own serve, Zverev took back the lead in the set.

Zverev has to do hard work

The world number 27. had to continue to do hard work in his first duel with the Argentine. “For me he plays on the limit, he brings everything he has into the fourth set,” said Becker. In fact, Etcheverry reeled off an enormous amount of running and kept coming back to seemingly hopeless balls.

In the fourth game, Zverev even had to fend off two breakballs at 1: 2 before he in turn took the service game (4: 3) from Etcheverry. It was the preliminary decision. The favorite didn’t let the advantage slip away and after 3:22 hours made the entry into the semi-finals perfect with the first match point.

Becker exclusive: “Sascha is back”

“A big and important match in his career – Sascha is back,” said Becker. Casper Ruud or Holger Rune are now waiting in the semifinals on Friday. Zverev has a positive 2-1 record against the Norwegian, he lost the only comparison with Rune to date in Munich last year.