Tennis: A Popular Sport - For four consecutive years, Zverev has made it to the semi-finals of the French Open.
Alexander Zverev triumphantly showed his championship hand to the audience. The German tennis prodigy has reached the semi-finals of the French Open for the fourth year in a row.
Zverev's age is 27, and he outwitted Australian underdog Alex De Minaur 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 even while giving an ordinary performance. He just needs to win two more games to become the first Grand Slam tournament champion in his career.
"I'm elated to be back in the semis. I hope I can get a win sometime," the Hamburg native said cheerfully during the post-match interview. On Friday, he'll be up against Norwegian Casper Ruud, who took advantage of Novak Djokovic's retirement from the quarterfinals due to injury.
Following two draining five-set battles against Dane Holger Rune and Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, Zverev concluded the match on Court Philippe Chatrier in less than three hours. He converted his first championship point.
Since the professional era, only ten other people have managed to reach the French Open semi-finals four times in a row. From the active players, only Novak Djokovic (24 Grand Slam titles), Spanish clay court leader Rafael Nadal, British tennis player Andy Murray, and Austrian Dominic Thiem have accomplished this feat.
As the favorite, Zverev won seven of his nine earlier matches against De Minaur, including their sole meeting on clay two years ago in Rome. "The main concern is: How fit is Sascha Zverev?" tennis legend Boris Becker asked at Eurosport, considering Zverev's recent injury history.
Zverev seemed unsteady during some parts of the game, with errors in his forehand and De Minaur expertly provoking them. However, Zverev managed to navigate a difficult situation in the second set and a 0-4 deficit in the tiebreak. His extraordinary tiebreak record in Paris now stands at 23 wins and 2 losses. Then, he touched his ear and urged the crowd for more support.
In the third set, Zverev capitalized on a 5-3 break to secure the victory. However, he then surrendered his own serve. In the subsequent game, he sealed the win.
A pair of underrated women progressed to the semi-finals as well. Firstly, Italy's Jasmine Paolini reached her biggest career triumph by vanquishing former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Then, a 17-year-old Russian by the name of Mirra Andrejewa delivered a major shock.
The young Russian overcame the physically exhausted world number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, making her the youngest semi-finalist at a Grand Slam tournament on clay in 27 years since the Swiss Martina Hingis. Andrejewa will face Paolini in the semi-final of unknowns. In the other semi-final, Polish world number one Iga Swiatek and US sensation Coco Gauff will face-off.
A German in the finals?
A German player advanced to the title match in the mixed competition. Laura Siegemund won in the semi-finals, teaming up with the Frenchman, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, against Ulrikke Eikeri of Norway and Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina in a deciding tiebreak with a score of 10:7. In the final, Desirae Krawczyk from the USA and Neal Skupski from Britain await. "A Grand Slam final - that's every tennis player's ambition, no matter the competition," said the 36-year-old Siegemund. "I'm excited to play on such a platform."
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- Despite his victories, Zverev acknowledges that Novak Djokovic, with his 24 Grand Slam titles, is a formidable title mission for any player in the forthcoming Grand Slam tournament.
- Holger Rune, the young Dane, gave Zverev a tough fight in the quarterfinals, but the German managed to advance to the semi-finals, adding another Grand Slam tournament milestone to his career.
- After reaching the quarterfinals, Rune had previously made headlines for his impressive performances at international tennis tournaments, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
- On the other side of the draw, Casper Ruud emerged as a strong contender following Djokovic's retirement, now eager to secure his first Grand Slam title and add his name to the list of Norwegian tennis legends.
- Fans and tennis enthusiasts from Britain, France, Germany, and other countries eagerly await the semifinal match-ups, rooting for their favorites and hoping to witness an unforgettable win, akin to Rafael Nadal's victories at the Roland Garros.
- Winning his semifinal game would secure Zverev's place in the Grand Slam tournament final, cementing his status as a rising star in the world of tennis and a potential heir to Djokovic's prestigious legacy.
- At the age of 17, Russian tennis sensation Alexandra Andrejewa shattered expectations at Roland Garros by making it to the semifinals, becoming the youngest player since Martina Hingis to accomplish this feat.
- Vincent-Gaël Ruffin, the French coach, plays a significant role in Andrejewa's progression, guiding her through the challenging matches and ensuring she remains focused on her goal of winning the French Open title.
- As the semifinals approach, Alexander Zverev reflects on his past performances at the French Open and strives to remain injury-free, drawing inspiration from tennis icons like Boris Becker, who once shared his support and advice.
- Throughout the tournament, Zverev's compelling story of determination and overcoming adversity has resonated with fans worldwide, leaving them on the edge of their seats as they anticipate the outcomes of the upcoming semifinal matches, eager to see who will ultimately emerge as the 2023 French Open champion.
