Alexander Zverev Battles Through Adversity to Reach Semifinals in Chengdu

Nothing was easy for him but he got through it in the end. Already pushed to the end of three sets by the Russian Pavel Kotov in the second round in Chengdu, Alexander Zverev had to draw on his resources again in the quarter-final on Sunday. The German, seeded 1 in the tournament, fought hard to overcome a more than eye-catching Miomir Kecmanovic with a score of 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 in almost three hours of play ( 2h59 exactly). In the half, he will face Grigor Dimitrov who easily beat Christopher O’Connell (6-4, 6-1).

He sometimes has the gift of making life complicated. This Sunday in Chendgu, Alexander Zverev showed it again even if he ended up ensuring the essential: his qualification for the last four. But things could have gone very wrong for him when after having three double break points in the second set, he found himself two points from defeat at 5-7, 4-5, tie on his serve. Fortunately for him, the German was able to exert himself and resume his march forward by lining up five games (5-7, 7-5, 2-0) to definitively take control of the game with an entry break of third act.

Once again conqueror with his back to the wall

However, to see him conquering from the first game of the match – he obtained two break points from the start without being able to convert them –, advancing in the court, not hesitating to storm the net, it was difficult to imagine Zverev in such great danger two hours later. And part of the credit obviously goes to Kecmanovic whose qualities as a blocker and passer gradually made the German doubt. It was the Serb who broke first (1-3), and even if he was caught in the process, he took the lead by once again seizing the opponent’s service at the best moment. And with style: an almost reflex winning return with an uncrossed forehand on a well-supported first.

Zverev then decided to take his opponent into the physical long distance event. Much more passive, giving the impression, as can regularly happen to him, of having a rubber band in his back, so he played with fire. But he eventually reacted, forcing himself to regain ground. And despite a certain lack of efficiency on his break opportunities (5 converted out of 17), he logically ended up taking off in the last act. So it wasn’t the great “Sascha”, but it doesn’t matter to him since the victory is at the end. Perhaps he has the best in store for us at the end of the tournament. He will have no choice if he wants to overcome the Dimitrov obstacle.

2023-09-24 14:12:00
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