Alexander Zverev is hoping for his first Grand Slam triumph at the US Open. But to do so, he will have to get past a local hero.
Alexander Zverev is only three wins away from his first Grand Slam title. In the quarterfinals of the US Open, the Hamburg native will face the American Taylor Fritz.
Alexander Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:6, 2:3
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:6, 2:3: For a change, Fritz has a longer serve. But the result remains the same. Zverev keeps it open until 30:30, but then Fritz forces him to make a forehand error and the American follows up with an ace.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:6, 2:2: Zverev has now got the problems with his racket under control. But after a backhand into the net, he throws his racket into the air, showing some emotion for the first time in a long time. Again, the reaction is good, the 27-year-old from Hamburg equalizes and stays in the game.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:6, 1:2: Fritz follows up and serves himself to a scoreless goal to take the lead again. The returners are currently having little to say, and there are hardly any long rallies at the start of the fourth round.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:6, 1:1: Good response from Zverev, who gets his serve through to zero and wins every point himself, not relying on his opponent’s mistakes.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:6, 0:1: After about two and a half hours of play, Fritz opens the fourth round and does so confidently to 15. The momentum is now on the side of the US boy.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:6: How bitter for Zverev: Three unnecessary forehand errors put him 0:40 behind. Equivalent to three set points for Fritz. Number one fends off the German number one with an ace. Number two messes up Fritz with a forehand that lands behind the baseline. At number three, the world number 12 from California puts a backhand into the net. But he gets another chance, which Zverev thwarts with a backhand longline down the line. But the Hamburg player has no answer for the next break chance. He puts a backhand into the net. Fritz now only needs one set to reach the semi-finals.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:5: Fritz now seems to be the more vulnerable player. He initially manages an ace, but then follows it up with another double fault. After a crazy rally, Zverev works his way to the next break point with a wonderful forehand volley. But this time he misses it with a backhand that is too long. An ace from Fritz and a forehand error of his own later, the game goes to the man from the USA.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 4:4: The self-assurance is back in Zverev’s service game, which he takes at 15 to make it 4:4.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 3:4: Fritz starts with a double fault, his first in the third set. But Zverev cannot take advantage of his opponent’s brief uncertainty and the US boy takes the lead again. 2:07 hours have now been played.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 3:3: Zverev follows up immediately, impresses with a courageous style of play, an increasingly confident forehand and deservedly equalizes. His rate of net attacks in the third set is strong: he won the point in six out of six net attacks.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 2:3: With two unforced backhand errors, Fritz falls behind 0:30, and shortly afterwards he has two break points against him at 15:40. This is the chance for Zverev to get back into the set. And he takes it with icy coldness. Thanks to another backhand error from the American, Zverev manages to break back. Everything is back in order.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 1:3: At least Zverev is now on the scoreboard in the third set, winning his first game.
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 0:3: The American benefits from three backhand errors by Zverev, confirming his break and moving ahead to 3-0. Will the German get back into this set?
Zverev – Fritz 6:7, 6:3, 0:2: The two serving giants now take a break, Zverev falls behind 0:30 and even has two break points against him at 15:40. He is able to fend off the first because Fritz’s return is too long. On the second, however, the German hits a forehand cross uncleanly and thus allows his opponent the first break. Bitter start to the third set for Zverev
