Alexander Zverev prevailed against the American Learner Tien in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. Last year’s finalist won 6:3, 6:7 (5:7), 6:1, 7:6 (7:3) against Tien. This means Zverev is with them Australian Open again in the semi-finals and can still hope for his first Grand Slam title.
In the Rod Laver Arena, Zverev was highly concentrated right from the start of the game and showed a stable service game. After just 36 minutes, the 28-year-old Zverev won the first set. Even after that, the world number three initially seemed to remain in control before Tien, trained by former French Open champion Michael Chang, improved and managed to equalize the set.
Zverev is now in the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the tenth time
In the quick third round, Zverev was able to extend his lead again. In the fourth set the decision had to be made in a tiebreak again, with Zverev staying calmer and winning for the fourth time Melbourne secured a place in the semi-finals. Overall, it is the tenth semi-final at a Grand Slam tournament for the Hamburg native.
“I’m extremely happy to be back in the semi-finals,” said Zverev on the pitch. “Learner played incredibly from the baseline. Without my 20 aces I probably wouldn’t have won today,” he added.
In the semi-finals on Friday, Zverev will meet world number one Carlos Alcaraz from Spain or the Australian Alex de Minaur.
