US Open
Exhausted Zverev misses a surprise against Alcaraz
Alexander Zverev waves to the audience after the lost match. photo
© Frank Franklin II/AP/dpa
Alexander Zverev suffered a clear defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the US Open. After the previous hardships, the Olympic champion is far from in top condition.
Two days after the epic victory against the Italian Jannik Sinner, Zverev did not look fit at all and was treated after the second set. “He worked so hard to come back. We’re very, very happy that he’s back,” Alcaraz said after his win. Last year, Zverev was absent in New York after a serious ankle injury.
Expectations remained unfulfilled
The former world number two has to wait for his first triumph in a Grand Slam triumph. Alcaraz certainly didn’t play at his highest level, but he will now meet Russian Daniil Medvedev in the round of the top four on Friday.
“I’m so happy to be back here, I missed that during my injury,” said Zverev shortly before entering the world’s largest tennis stadium. “I will do everything I can. Hopefully it will be a fun match.” However, the expectations were not fulfilled. It was clear to see that Zverev had been on the pitch almost six hours longer than Alcaraz with more than 14 hours in four games at this US Open.
After the exertions of the epic round of 16 against Sinner, Zverev did without training on Tuesday. “Let’s see how Sascha has recovered,” said Russian Daniil Medvedev shortly before his semi-final opponent was determined, with a premonition. “He wasn’t in good shape two days ago.”
Alcaraz initially made unnecessary mistakes
The conditions were again difficult at 28 degrees after 9 p.m. – but no comparison to the much muggy air in the round of 16. At the beginning, Zverev showed no signs of fatigue and withstood the powerful game of his opponent, who was six years younger, in the first few minutes. Zverev hit at up to 220 kilometers per hour, Alcaraz also responded at high speed. The Spaniard tried to dominate the game early with his hard attacking shots. However, he initially made a few unnecessary mistakes. When changing sides, Alcaraz had an unusually long debate with the referee.
A decisive phase of the game came within a good ten minutes: First, Zverev dropped his first of two breakballs with a slight backhand error when the score was 3: 3. In the very next game, Alcaraz took the serve from the German instead. Four points later, the two-time Grand Slam title winner took the opening set after a total of 48 minutes.
Barely electrifying atmosphere
The leadership of the favorite took the tension from the audience. Unlike Zverev’s duel with Sinner, there was rarely an electrifying atmosphere with a good 23,000 spectators in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In the third game of the second round, Alcaraz managed to break again and celebrated with a jubilant jump. The Spaniard now seemed much more relaxed, tried to catch a ball in his pocket after a point as a show. When Alcaraz took his serve from him again, Zverev trotted to his bench with his head bowed.
After losing the second set, the German number one hung a towel with ice around his neck, called in a physio, took a medical break and disappeared into the dressing room. Alcaraz waited shirtless on the square. The Spaniard lacked excitement, but Zverev missed three more break chances. When the score was 4: 4, Alcaraz turned up the heat again, took the serve from Zverev and cheered a little later.