Kerber loses in pain Zverev changes plan and plays an outstanding match
March 13, 2024, 9:23 a.m
Alexander Zverev is fighting for a place in the semi-finals after a strenuous win against Australian Alex de Minaur in Indian Wells. Angelique Kerber was eliminated from the tennis tournament. In a duel with her friend Caroline Wozniacki, she is plagued by pain.
Alexander Zverev is in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells tennis masters tournament for the second time in his career. The 26-year-old from Hamburg won his round of 16 match against Australian Alex de Minaur 5:7, 6:2, 6:3 after 2:47 hours. In the round of the last eight, Zverev will face Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard, number two in the world rankings, had no trouble winning 6:3, 6:3 against Hungary’s Fabian Maroszan. Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner from Italy defeated the American Ben Shelton 7:6 (7:4), 6:1.
“I can’t remember ever having a better match in the wind than today.”
(Photo: dpa)
Zverev is playing against Alcaraz for his first semi-final at the hard court tournament in California. His biggest success so far in Indian Wells was reaching the quarter-finals three years ago. His last title at a Masters also dates back to 2021, when Zverev won both the clay court tournament in Madrid and the hard court tournament in Cincinnati.
He also defied the conditions against de Minaur. “I can’t remember ever having a better match in the wind than today,” he said and self-critically noted: “When you’re a set and a break behind, you have to think about whether you want to continue playing or whether you’re in I had to leave the pitch for 20 minutes. I had to play differently on both sides and I did that well today.” He adapted his plan to the adverse conditions. An idea that really worked.
Kerber is suffering from back problems
However, three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber missed out on making it to the quarter-finals of the women’s competition. The 36-year-old lost the “tennis moms” duel against Caroline Wozniacki 4:6, 2:6 and was eliminated in the round of 16. Wozniacki will now face the top seeded Pole Iga Swiatek. “I could see that she was struggling with her back,” Wozniacki said of her friend Kerber, “I’m just happy that I won. I don’t take anything for granted, I took a very long break. Now I’m back and just enjoy it.”
Kerber called for medical help in the second set when the pain became too great. In the presence of a doctor, the former Wimbledon champion stretched her damaged back, leaned forward, raised her knees and hoped for a little relief from her symptoms. Kerber reached her physical limits. And so the most convincing performance so far on their comeback tour ended in the round of 16.
“I just tried to stay focused”
Kerber, who gave birth to her daughter Liana in February 2023, played confidently in California. After three previous wins, Kerber got off to a bad start against Wozniacki; she lost two of her first three service games, but fought back again. In the second set, Kerber was treated when the score was 1:4 and the turnaround was no longer successful. “It went a little my way today. You could tell she was having problems. I just tried to stay focused,” said Wozniacki.
In the men’s doubles competition, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz can still hope for the title. The number seven seeded German doubles team won against the British-Dutch duo Lloyd Glasspool and Jean-Julien Rojer 6:3, 5:7, 10:8 and is now in the semi-finals.
2024-03-13 08:24:54
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