(Provided by Tennis World USA)
A year after a nasty ankle injury that ruined his progress toward the ATP throne, Alexander Zverev is back in the Roland Garros semi-final! The German topped Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 22 minutes in the quarter-final on Court Philippe-Chatrier to remain on the title course.
With these points, Zverev will return to the top-25 on Monday and pass Jan-Lennard Struff as Germany’s no. 1. Alexander will meet Casper Ruud or Holger Rune in Friday’s semi-final, seeking a place in his first Roland Garros final.
Zverev hit seven aces and nine double faults, struggling on his second serve as many times before. However, he denied six out of nine break points and fired respectable 45 winners and 44 unforced errors to tame his strokes nicely.
The first-time Major quarter-finalist offered his rival 11 break chances and lost serve five times, hitting the exit door despite a solid effort. Etcheverry had a better run in the shortest range up to four strokes, although Zverev erased the deficit in the mid-range and most extended ones.
Alexander Zverev defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the Roland Garros QF.
The Argentine saved a break point in games one and five to remain in touch in the opener. Zverev held at love in game six with a service winner and broke at 15 in the next one to forge his first advantage.
Alexander saved two break points in the eighth game to move 5-3 in front and serve for the set in game ten. The German forced the rival’s mistake to secure a hold at 30 and close the set 6-4 in 52 minutes. Tomas Martin produced three comfortable holds at the start of the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
He broke in the sixth game with a forehand down the line winner to open a 4-2 gap and settle into a fine rhythm. Zverev broke back in game seven but lost serve again in the next one after a loose smash. Etcheverry held at 30 in game nine to wrap up the set and level the overall score after an hour and 34 minutes.
With a boost on his side, the Argentine broke at the start of the third set for an early advantage. Alexander painted a forehand crosscourt winner in the fourth game to pull the break back and gain confidence. The German broke again with a deep return in game six to move 4-2 up and closer to the set.
Tomas Martin served to stay in it at 2-5 and defended three set points to prolong the battle. Alexander held with a smash winner at the net in game nine to close the set and gain the advantage after two hours and 21 minutes.
Etcheverry served well in the first half and missed a chance to move in front after squandering two break chances in the fourth game. Zverev broke in the seventh game after the rival’s wayward forehand and faced two break points in the next one.
Alexander denied both with fine hitting and held for 5-3. The Argentine extended the battle with a hold at love in game nine before the German sealed the deal with a service winner at 5-4 for an emotional victory and a place in the last four.
