Zverev skillfully overcomes initial alarm.
German tennis enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice: Alexander Zverev is almost back to the form that could lead him deeper into the French Open. In the quarterfinals of the Masters tournament in Rome, Zverev, despite an early stumbling block, remained unfazed.
A significant milestone in an endurance test: Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev is improving week by week with the French Open starting soon. At the ATP Masters in Rome, the Hamburg-born player outmaneuvered US American Taylor Fritz effortlessly, moving on to the semi-finals. He'll go up against surprise contender Alejandro Tabilo from Chile tomorrow.
The finale saw a 6:4, 6:3 victory over Fritz, world number 13, after Zverev secured his first match point following a 1.5-hour-long battle. Even a painful fall on the slick court couldn't distract Zverev. He had to receive medical attention for his left hand after the tumble, but it seemed to have caused minimal discomfort during the match.
"I'm honestly thrilled because Taylor is one of the best clay court players this year," commented Zverev. "To beat him, especially after slipping, is wonderful." As the adrenaline wears off, Zverev will know the extent of his injury. He's only two wins away from claiming his first title at the Masters since 2021. It would be his sixth at an ATP 1000 event overall and his second in the Italian capital.
Zverev's powerful and persistent gameplay
Zverev kicked off the match impressively, asserting his dominance against his in-form rival. Fritz might not have been known as a specialist on clay before, but he'd recently reached the final in Munich (losing to Jan-Lennard Struff) and reached the semifinals in Madrid. Zverev's aggressive and consistent assault on Fritz's defenses, however, left him with little response. Remarkably, there was no slowdown in Zverev's game throughout the second round. Fritz gave a good fight, but he couldn't withstand the German's critical break in the middle of the set.
Zverev's clay court form in Madrid raised concerns. In the round of 16 at the tournament last month, the world number five was sent packing by the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo unexpectedly. Zverev is going for his first major title at the second Grand Slam of the year in Paris, which begins on May 26.
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Despite a challenging start against Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev continues to shine in the tennis world. His dominant performance in Rome secured a place in the semifinals, setting him up for potential success at the French Open.
With his powerful and persistent gameplay, Zverev is making a strong case for claiming his first title at the Masters since 2021, further cementing his status as a formidable tennis player.
Source: www.ntv.de
