The EU's journey has been marked by significant triumphs.
In contrast to his initial match, Alexander Zverev manages to secure all sets in his second round bout at the US Open. The scorching temperatures in New York City pose a challenge, but Zverev displays resilience. He showers praise upon his French opponent, Alexandre Muller.
Exhausted yet victorious, Zverev greeted the crowd, tossed autographed balls into the stands, and made his way towards the air-conditioned recesses: Having conquered his second round hurdle, the German ace is one step closer to his elusive first Grand Slam title in New York. But he'll need to elevate his game if he hopes to contend for the trophy at the US Open.
Facing off against Muller at the Louis Armstrong Stadium, Zverev played competently, although lagging behind his peak form for vast stretches of the match. "He displayed remarkable tennis skills; he outplayed me in the latter stages of the second set. I found a strategy to emerge victorious in the end, leaving me delighted to have won in a thrilling three-set match, and allowing me some much-needed relief. The conditions were incredibly taxing, with the heat reaching an all-time high today. The fact that I've progressed is a relief," reported Zverev following his 6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:1 triumph, propelling him into the third round in New York for the sixth time in his ninth outing. His next opponent is the Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
As the world number four, Zverev won't encounter high-ranked competition until the latter stages of the tournament. In his premiere meeting with world number 77, his form was somewhat subpar in the morning hours. An abundance of unforced errors by Muller favorably influenced Zverev's victory in the primary set within the colossal venue at the Flushing Meadows complex.
Cheered on by former football world champion Sami Khedira, Zverev failed to reach peak performance levels within the second set, yet he maintained his composure during the tiebreak. Thereafter, Zverev became unstoppable and sealed his triumph with his second match point.
With 35 attempts under his belt, Zverev targets his long-awaited first Grand Slam title. In New York 2020, he came heartbreakingly close to securing victory against Dominic Thiem only to suffer one of his most devastating losses of his career. In the run-up to the US Open, Zverev's progress became increasingly apparent, culminating in his reaching the semifinals in Cincinnati, overcoming a series of health and athletic challenges. His triumph against Muller marked his 54th win of the season, surpassing any other player on the tour.
In the post-match interview, Zverev acknowledged the challenging conditions, stating, "The heat was relentless, but I'm glad I managed to win under such conditions." Despite the taxing environment, Zverev emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities, saying, "I knew the conditions were against us, but I focused on the 'Conditions' I could control, like my mental game and strategy, which ultimately led to my victory."
