(Tennis news) Alexander Zverev, a German tennis player who was forced off during an intense match against Rafael Nadal in the last four in the French Open last year. He had to leave Philippe Chatrier a year ago in a wheelchair because of an ankle injury he sustained during the match.
In spite of his struggles since rejoining the tour in January, Alexander Zverev overcame them on the Parisian clay and fought for three hours and 22 minutes to advance beyond the surprise package Tomas Etcheverry by 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-4. The 23-year-old Argentine Etcheverry performed an outstanding job for himself in the greatest match of his career, thrilling the Philippe Chatrier audience with thunderous victories and persevering until the bitter finish. But Zverev proved to be better in crunch time, fending off six of the nine break points he faced to advance to the final four here for the third consecutive year.
“That was the most difficult year of my life,” Zverev said.
“I love tennis with all my heart. I’m so happy to be back at this stage, I’m so happy to be able to play for a Roland Garros final again. I can’t be happier.”
Zverev said of his opponent: “He’s playing incredible tennis, he reminds me a lot of (Juan Martin) Del Potro, the way he hits his forehand especially. If he continues playing like this he’s going in the quarter-finals here a lot more often for sure and I think he can be top 10.
“I just had to remember that I have a pair of balls that I can use. I hope, I think I deserved to win. I’m just happy to be through.
Zverev in the Semi-Finals
Zverev will face Casper Ruud, the runner-up from the previous year, in the semifinals after he defeated Holger Rune 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. It was a rematch of a heated night session match from the previous year, when Rune accused the Norwegian of celebrating in his face while the Norwegian disputed the charge.
Last month in Rome, Holger Rune defeated Csper Ruud to snap a four-match losing streak, and the 20-year-old entered Paris as one of the favourites to contend for the championship. However, it appeared that a lengthy five-setter against Francisco Cerundolo in the previous round had worn him out because he did not start playing until the conclusion of the second set. The young Dane’s debut was a dismal performance; in just seven games, he committed 18 unforced errors, including five double faults.
By the start of the third set, Casper Ruud had gradually found his footing and was displaying some of the stunning shots that make him such an intriguing prospect. The only little incident occurred in the first game of that match when Ruud attempted to energise the crowd after Holger Rune had already done so.
The night session crowd was solidly behind the sixth seed as they pushed for a match to start, and it did so when Rune broke to take a 2-0 lead and held on to his lead to force a fourth. However, Ruud has the experience of having competed in two Grand Slam finals, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in New York and Rafael Nadal here, respectively, last year. Ruud regained the initiative in the fourth set, earning his fifth match point after two hours and forty-four minutes. The 24-year-old has had a challenging season, but returning to his preferred clay has allowed him to regain his confidence.
Casper Ruud said: “I’m very relieved. I came into this match just trying to play without pressure but it’s not easy, obviously. Luckily for me the first two sets he wasn’t feeling it too well. He came back and in the fourth set, I was just lucky to get that one break.
“He was hungry to get to his first semi-final and I was hungry to get back to the semi-finals again. I feel like my game is improving match by match. Playing Sascha (Zverev), it’s so great to see him back in the semi-finals. I think it’s going to be a great match.”
Also read: Ruud overpowers Rune in the French Open
