Alexander Zverev congratulated Carlos Alcaraz, waved briefly to the audience and quickly disappeared into the catacombs. With a clear defeat against the world number one, the Olympic champion missed his third semi-final appearance at the US Open in a row. Exhausted from the effort in the round of 16, the 26-year-old from Hamburg lacked the energy for a surprise – after 2:30 hours, Zverev had to beat the 20-year-old defending champion from Spain 3: 6, 2: 6, 4: 6 on Wednesday evening (local time). give.
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 here,” said Alcaraz after his win. Last year, Zverev was absent in New York after a serious ankle injury.
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 hardships of the round of 16 against Sinner, Zverev decided not to train 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.”
After 9 p.m. still 28 degrees
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.
Published/Updated: Thomas Klemm, New York Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 6 Thomas Klemm, New York Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 5
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 made the 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.
