Alexander Zverev fought his way back into the semifinals of the French Open just one year after the injury shock and can dream of his first Grand Slam triumph. The Olympic tennis champion ended the impressive run of Argentine outsider Tomás Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reached the semi-finals of the clay court classic in Paris for the third time in a row. The 26-year-old converted his first match point on Wednesday evening after 3:22 hours.
In the year after his serious ankle injury at the same place, he is now in for great success – even if the tasks are getting harder and harder. In the semi-finals, they will face last year's finalist Casper Ruud from Norway or Danish youngster Holger Rune from Denmark. The game is still on the agenda this Wednesday evening. The other semi-final will be contested by top favorites Carlos Alcaraz from Spain and 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner Novak Djokovic from Serbia.
Reaching the final would be something special
Zverev had to pass a tough test on the Philippe-Chatrier court, where he twisted his ankle in the semifinals against Rafael Nadal in 2022, but played out his experience in comparison with the tirelessly running Etcheverry. Previously, the clay court specialist from Argentina had never made it further than the first round at the French Open.
Even his second Grand Slam final after the US Open 2020 - where he lost to Austrian Dominic Thiem - would be something special for Zverev. As German tennis players, only Michael Stich (1996), Gottfried von Cramm (1934-1936) and Henner Henkel (1937) have played the final of the men's competition at the Stade Roland Garros.
After a balanced start, Zverev dictated more and more the longer rallies, appeared dominant. With the score at 3: 3, he took the chance for the first break due to a forehand error by his opponent. The 23-year-old Etcheverry ran in the style of a clay court digger even the most impossible balls. However, Zverev kept his cool from the baseline and secured the first round after 52 minutes with a deliberate attacking game.
In the previous four games of this tournament, Etcheverry had not yet dropped a set. Also because his first-round opponent gave up early, he was able to save energy and was on the court for more than an hour and a half less than Zverev. Etcheverry proved his freshness, was not deterred by the setback, came into the game better. After a volley stop from Zverev that was too long, the world number 49 managed. He made his first break to make it 4-2 and enjoyed the cheers of the spectators.
Zverev took his opponent's serve right away, but missed the subsequent chance to equalize with two double faults and a devious overhead ball. Even the vibration damper from the racket was lost, father and coach Alexander Zverev senior dug out a replacement copy in the stands. That didn't help either: A little later, however, the set was gone after a devious backhand - Zverev trotted to the bench with his head down.
Zverev seemed briefly stricken. With four slight mistakes, he immediately gave up the first service game to zero, and fought his way back out of nowhere. Five game wins in a row meant a 5-2 lead - Zverev roared "Come on" across the court in the direction of his box and took the set.
In the fifth round, both players started concentrated. The German remained consistent - and made the decisive break to make it 4-3. Zverev fended off two chances of the opponent on his own serve and was allowed to celebrate.