ATP Dubai: Winner of Sonego (7-5, 6-4), Zverev will play his first semi-final in 9 months

He had not known that since this famous (and cursed for him) last edition of Roland-Garros. Alexander Zverev will taste the semi-final of a tournament on the circuit, a first for nine months and his serious right ankle injury against Rafael Nadal on clay in Paris. Returning to competition at the start of the season, the German saw an ATP 500 tournament in Dubai which could well be a turning point for him: Thursday, he confirmed his recent progress by offering his 3rd consecutive victory of the week against Lorenzo Sonego (7-5, 6-4) in the quarter-finals after 1h51 of play. On Friday, he will face defending champion Andrey Rublev, winner of Botic van de Zandschulp (6-3, 7-6), for a place in the final .

It had been a long time since he had had so much fun on a tennis court. Alexander Zverev put in a very solid performance on Thursday to reach the last four in the United Arab Emirates. Beyond the result, the Olympic champion had a solid match relying on his strengths: his first serve ball (82% in play and 84% of points won behind) and his power from the baseline. Physically, his progression is also striking compared to his Australian recovery: there is no longer any restraint in his lateral movements or his recovery of support.

Little by little, Zverev regains his strengths

And the head follows too. Frustrated by Andy Murray last week in Doha, Zverev has found his bearings in the management of important moments. Twice, he thus found himself at 0/40 on his serve and not just anytime: during his first game of service and during the last to conclude the game. And each time, the Tokyo Olympic champion came out of it by serving almost perfectly and getting to the net successfully. A sign that confidence is back. However, Lorenzo Sonego did not make it easy for him.

Spring-loaded and hard-hitting, the Italian tested Zverev from the baseline. But this one answered admirably first by a length of ball with go, then by its found natural power. Unable to overtake him, Sonego therefore forced in the “money time” of the first set, giving up his commitment for the first time. Then, he was again deprived of his service at 2-2 in the second act, overwhelmed by a long-line backhand missile from the German. Much less passive than during his first recovery matches, Zverev is gradually finding his bearings. His return to business seems to be taking shape.

And now a half face up

In the last four, the challenge promises to be as high as it is interesting for Zverev, since he will face Andrey Rublev, outgoing champion in the United Arab Emirates. A miracle on Wednesday against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the Russian made a much better impression on Thursday against Botic van de Zandschulp, 33rd player in the world. He won in two sets (6-3, 7-6), spending roughly the same time on the court as Zverev (1h52 precisely).

Dominating in intensity and taking initiatives, Rublev could have made the task easier. At 6-3, 5-3, he thus obtained several match points on the restart. Unable to materialize them, he got a little fright by being unbroken in stride when serving for the match. Suddenly nervous, he nevertheless managed to recover in the tie-break, delivering the coup de grace on an ace, like Zverev against Sonego. The clash in the semi-finals promises to be enticing.