Alexander Zverev scores in the quarterfinals of the US Open on Wednesday (September 6th, 2023) on top seed Carlos Alcaraz. The German number one has to help against the wear and tear of his strength and a black series Grand Slam– Fight tournaments.
Alexander Zverev’s dream of winning a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career lives on after beating Jannik Sinner in the round of 16. The question is: did reaching the quarter-finals cost more energy than it brought self-confidence and security? What is certain is that the next task was one that he had previously been unable to solve.
Direct balance turns towards Alcaraz
Although Zverev has won three of the previous five duels against his upcoming opponent Carlos Alcaraz, the history behind the statistics is worth a closer look. The two met twice on hard court in 2021, Zverev was one of the absolute top players, Alcaraz was still a talent. The Spaniard paid dearly in both games and lost significantly.
At least since his Wimbledon triumph this year, it has become clear to everyone how quickly the number one in the world learns. And Zverev had to realize that too, in 2022 each won one of the two duels and this year Alcaraz didn’t give his opponent the slightest chance in the only meeting so far at the Masters tournament in Madrid on sand 6: 1, 6: 2.
Carlos Alcaraz (left) and Alexander Zverev (right) shake hands.
Alcaraz with 40 percent less playing time
However, Zverev was not yet at the highest level after his serious injury – that has now changed. “This is one of the best moments of my career after my comeback and all“said the 26-year-old after his five-set win against Sinner. “That’s what I live for. I think I can really say I’m back now.“
After 4:41 hours, Zverev made it into the top eight – and Alcaraz was already waiting there. The path of the two players up to this point could hardly be more different in intensity. The German number one was already on the pitch for a total of 14 hours and 15 minutes at this year’s US Open, Alcaraz only eight hours and 36 minutes – about 40 percent less.
Nine tries, no win
After his Sinner victory, Zverev asserted: “I will fight until the last moment.“But the question is how much strength he still has for it. He has to “of course relax first“, but promised: “I will be ready.” And Alcaraz does not take the perhaps exhausted opponent lightly. “He plays really well. This year he finds his top level again“said the 20-year-old.
But so far in Grand Slams it hasn’t mattered from a certain point in time whether Zverev had it or not – he has never won against a top 5 player in the four largest tennis tournaments, not even in his final at the US Open 2020. Nine The current world ranking twelfth unsuccessfully met one of the five highest seeded players. If Zverev wants to win his first Grand Slam this year, he has to end that streak against Alcaraz on Wednesday. Despite the circumstances.