Tag: Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev secured a place in his seventh French Open quarter-final on Monday as his last-16 opponent, Tallon Griekspoor, retired injured in the second set.

The German third seed, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final, was leading 6-4, 3-0 when Dutchman Griekspoor called it quits on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Zverev will face Novak Djokovic in the last eight as he continues his latest bid for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Zverev has made at least the last four at the past four French Opens and is into his seventh quarter-final at Roland Garros in total.

The 28-year-old has won five of his 13 career matches with Djokovic, including in Melbourne in January when the Serb retired injured from their semi-final following the first set.

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“We have great history in our rivalry, I would say, but I’m looking forward to the match, and it’s always a privilege to be on court with him,” said Alexander Zverev.

“But he has to win first today, also, right? I don’t want to disrespect anybody, and anybody who is in the fourth round deserves to be there, so I have to respect Cam and we’ll see how the match goes.

“Of course, playing Novak is always an honour.”

Dutchman Griekspoor’s serve was severely affected by his injury, although he managed to take a 3-0 lead in the first set before Zverev found his rhythm.

“Unfortunately this morning in the warm-up… I pulled my abdominal (muscle) which made me not serve fully and not able to compete the way I would like,” said Griekspoor, who was playing in the fourth round of a major for the first time.

READ: Carlos Alcaraz grinds past Ben Shelton to reach French Open last eight

Defending champion Jannik Sinner blew past Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 in the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday to set up a showdown with Alexander Zverev for the title.

The top-ranked Italian will face the German second seed, who went through to Sunday’s final when Novak Djokovic retired injured from their last-four clash.

Sinner had to save two set points in a tight opening act, but once he took it on a tiebreak he raced past the 22-year-old in 2hr 36min on Rod Laver Arena, despite cramping late in the match.

The centre court crowd had been disappointed earlier when Djokovic called it a day after losing a gruelling first set against Zverev, leaving his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown in tatters.

The 37-year-old Serbian great’s upper left leg was heavily taped and, after he shook hands, he departed to some boos after going down 7-6 (7/5).

Djokovic hinted that he may have played his last Australian Open. “There is a chance. Who knows?” Djokovic said when asked if he may have graced the Melbourne Park courts for the last time.

“I normally like to come to Australia to play. I’ve had the biggest success in my career here. So if I’m fit, healthy, motivated, I don’t see a reason why I wouldn’t come,” he added.

Djokovic has now gone five Grand Slams without winning the title he needs to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 and become the all-time leader.

“I actually thought I played really well, as well as I played the last 12 months,” he said of his Melbourne run. “I liked my chances if I was physically fit and ready to battle.”

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Sinner is on the cusp of a first successful Grand Slam title defence after winning his maiden major crown in Melbourne last year.

He had won the last four of his five career meetings with the explosive young American.

The Italian was not at his best in the opening set, dropping his serve twice and having to dig deep to save two set points with Shelton serving at 6-5.

But the 23-year-old easily took control of the tiebreak to move a set ahead after 71 minutes.

He broke Shelton right at the start of the second and ran away with it in 42 minutes.

The all-action Shelton raised himself for one last effort in the third, lashing running forehand winners in an attempt to turn the tide.

Sinner was not moving freely, seemingly troubled by either cramp or his groin, but he saved two break points and when Shelton then dropped his serve to go 3-2 down, the Italian sprinted to the finish line.

The final will be a battle of the top two seeds with Zverev in his first Australian Open final.

The German has been a Grand Slam runner-up twice before, at last year’s French Open and the 2020 US Open, but has never lifted one of the big four majors.

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Novak Djokovic feels as mentally and emotionally motivated as he’s ever been, but the Serbian great admits to be being worried about his creaking body ahead of an Australian Open semi-final with “super dangerous” Alexander Zverev.

The irrepressible 37-year-old put to bed any doubts about his ability to add to his 24 Grand Slam titles with a scintillating four-set takedown of Carlos Alcaraz in the Melbourne last eight on Tuesday.

But while the 10-time Australian champion was able to pull out every trick in the book to get past a man 16 years his junior, it took its toll.

He had to leave court for a medical timeout at 4-5 in the first set, returning with his upper left leg taped and on painkillers to battle through.

Asked whether it was a hamstring or groin problem, he did not want to elaborate, but said: “It’s very similar to what I had few years ago, 2023, to be exact.”

Djokovic famously won the 2023 Australian Open while managing an injury in the same area.

“I’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery,” he added.

“I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I’m as motivated as I can be.”

Alexander Zverev is into the semi-finals for a second straight year and is laser focused on finally winning a maiden Slam title after a decade of trying.

Last year at the same stage he crashed to Daniil Medvedev in five sets after holding a 2-0 lead and is understandably wary of Djokovic, even if he is carrying an injury.

“I’m going to prepare myself for a tough battle,” he said. “I’m going to prepare myself for a very intense and high-level match.”

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Djokovic is equally cautious about the German, who is at a career-high world number two.

“I mean, I’m playing Zverev, who is in a great form, and he is going for his first Grand Slam. He’s been close. I mean, I’ve seen him play. I practised with him as well here,” he said.

“I think he loves the conditions. He’s got big serve. He’s super dangerous opponent on this surface against anyone.”

Novak Djokovic holds an 8-4 record over the 27-year-old and will be looking to new coach Andy Murray, who himself won three of his four meetings with Alexander Zverev, to establish a game plan.

The Scot has been a calm and collected presence in Djokovic’s courtside box during the tournament after the former rivals unexpectedly joined forces late last year.

The Serbian, who is into a record 50th Grand Slam semi-final, headed straight over to embrace him after beating Alcaraz.

“I feel more and more connected with Andy every day. We face challenges every single day. People don’t see that obviously,” said Djokovic.

“We try to make the most out of every day and grow together. He’s been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.

“So it was kind of a gesture of appreciation, respect for him, and the fact that he’s out there, and he doesn’t need to be. He accepted to work with me.

“He’s giving all his support to me, to the whole team, and trying to make it work.

“This (against Alcaraz) was a huge win for all of us, including Andy and myself, you know, for the relationship. That’s why I went to him, because I just felt very grateful that he’s there.”

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Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end on Monday when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralising first-round defeat against Alexander Zverev.

Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, went down 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to world number four Zverev, suffering only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut.

It was the first time he had been defeated in Paris in the opening round and will again lead to questions over his long-term future in the sport.

“I don’t know if this is the last time I will be here, I am not 100% sure but if it is then I wanted to enjoy it,” said Nadal.

“The feelings today are difficult to describe in words.”

Plagued by injuries, which had limited him to just four events since January last year, former world number one Nadal is now 275 in the rankings and was unseeded in Paris.

However, he insisted on the eve of the tournament that he was “100% keeping the door open” on his future in a sport which has brought him 22 Grand Slam titles.

In a repeat of the 2022 French Open semi-final, which Rafael Nadal won when Zverev quit with ankle ligament damage, the Spaniard had his chances.

He was a break of serve up in the second and third sets, only to be pinned back on both occasions by his in-form 27-year-old opponent.

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Chants of “Rafa, Rafa” had loudly echoed under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier which was shut tight against the torrential rain sweeping across the grounds and bringing havoc to the schedule.

They subsided to silence when Nadal was broken to love in his opening service game and he was left to regret his inability to convert two break points in the fourth game.

Rafael Nadal saved two set points in the ninth game but surrendered the opener after 50 minutes when he buried a loose forehand into the net.

It was only the fourth opening set he had lost at Roland Garros.

Nadal broke for the first time in the match to lead 3-2 in the second set but couldn’t back up the advantage and handed the break back to three-time semi-finalist Zverev as he served for the set.

A tense tie-breaker followed which the German claimed, buoyed by stretching to 5/3 on the back of a gruelling 19-shot rally.

Nadal dug deep and with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek having watched from the packed stands, he broke and held for 2-0 in the third set.

However, Zverev again roared back to level at 2-2 before a besieged Nadal had to save four break points in a 13-minute fifth game to stay in contention.

The effort was too much and a composed Zverev was soon 4-3 up and the match was over when Rafael Nadal fired a forehand wide and long.

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Germany’s Alexander Zverev equalled compatriot Boris Becker’s record by reaching an 11th Masters final on Friday when he ended the Rome Open giant-killing run of Alejandro Tabilo.

World number five Zverev, who lifted the Rome trophy in 2017, battled back to see off the Chilean 1-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in their semi-final.

The 26-year-old Tabilo had shocked Novak Djokovic in the third round and the 32nd-ranked player showed little fear of Zverev until he began to play more passively in the second set tie-break.

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Third seed Zverev then raced through the decider to make the Rome final for the third time.

“I was just hanging on in the second set. I brought my energy up. I was really just hanging on and waiting and the patience was kind of good today,” Zverev said on court.

“He hit me off the court in the first set and I did not play well at all, but he was a big reason why. He gave me no rhythm and I am happy I turned it around in the tie-break and ran away in the third set.”

In Sunday’s final, he will take on either another Chilean in Nicolas Jarry or Tommy Paul of the United States.

By making Sunday’s championship match, 27-year-old Alexander Zverev has tied Becker’s record for the most Masters finals by a German since the series began in 1990.

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Carlos Alcaraz slipped to a shock defeat on his return from injury on Tuesday at the Paris Masters while Alexander Zverev needed three sets to see off Marton Fucsovics. 

Spanish world number two Alcaraz, who was making his return to the court following injuries to his lower back and left foot, had been given a bye in the first round but had no answer to Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin who eased through 6-3, 6-4.

“He didn’t surprise me at all because I knew that he has been playing a great level these last few months, beating big guys, reaching finals,” said a disconsolate Alcarez.

“I knew that he was going to play a high level.”

Roman Safiullin, ranked 45 in the world, cancelled out an early Alcaraz break in the first set and then never looked back as he ran on to claim the opener 6-3.

The same scenario then played out in the second set, with Carlos Alcaraz breaking for an early lead only for his opponent to strike back immediately.

Having only announced he would play in the tournament last Wednesday, Alcaraz looked far from his sharpest.

“I just didn’t feel well, you know, on the court,” he said. “A lot of things to improve, a lot of things to practice.

“I think I didn’t move well. In the shots, I think I had a good quality of shots. But physically, in terms of movement, I have to improve a lot.”

However, much credit must go to Safiullin, who was relentless in getting over the line for a career-boosting win in what was his first meeting with Carlos Alcaraz.

The 26-year-old held his nerve under pressure from the Wimbledon champion to serve out for the win, despite facing several deuce points in the final game.

“Even if he’s not in the best shape it’s tough to beat him,” said Safiullin. “So, I’m really happy that I made it.”

The German 10th seed Alexander Zverev also had his difficulties, having to come back from a set down to beat Hungarian Fucsovics 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the round of 64 at Bercy Arena.

“It was just one or two points (that made the difference),” said Zverev.

“He was playing incredibly well and tactically I think he was unbelievable.

“His slice was effective as I did not know what to do on this surface here. It was a very difficult match, and I am happy to be through. I found my level and I am happy with that.”

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Alexander Zverev is still seeking to secure his place among the top eight who will go on to the ATP Finals in Turin next month.

After this victory, the 2021 champion sits seventh just behind Stefanos Tsitsipas and 430 points ahead of ninth-placed Hubert Hurkacz.

American Taylor Fritz’s chances of qualifying for the tour’s showpiece event took a hit when he was forced to retire with an abdominal injury.

On Monday, the ninth seed had comfortably beaten Argentine Sebastian Baez 6-1, 6-4.

Hometown favourite Gael Monfils was knocked out in the first round by Argentinian world number 21 Francisco Cerundolo in three sets on Tuesday.

The battling 37-year-old looked tired after losing the second set in a tie-break but rolled back the years with a break of serve right at the start of the third.

However, it was not enough as Cerundolo struck back in the eighth game of the set, before breaking the Frenchman’s serve again to take the decider 7-5.

The 11th-seeded Hurkacz saw off Sebastian Korda 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 to book his place in the second round alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime, who toppled Jan-Lennard Struff in two sets.

Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev completed the day’s play with a quickfire 6-4, 6-3 victory over Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka.

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Former Toronto Masters winners Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev dispatched first-round opponents in windy conditions on Tuesday to power into the second round of the Canadian hardcourt event.

Britain’s Murray worked through a marathon opening set before dominating the second for a 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.

The 36-year-old Scotsman, with three Toronto Masters titles on his resume, earned his first victory in the country since his 2015 trophy as he defeated the Italian in two hours, eight minutes in a challenging wind.

Germany’s Zverev, who defeated Roger Federer for the 2017 Toronto Masters title, reached the second round by defeating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).

Third seed Casper Ruud began his US Open run-up after a bye, struggling at the start but wrapping up a 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 defeat of Jiri Lehecka for a 199th career ATP match win.

The Norwegian trailed 4-0 in the first-set tiebreaker but found form in his first hardcourt match of the summer to reach the third round.

“I told myself not to give up, just keep holding onto the score,” he said. “I saved a couple of set points.

“It was all about luck and margins and they were on my side. By the end of the second set I was hitting and serving better — I’m happy how I progressed in the match.”

Murray won his only previous encounter with Sonego last February in Doha, saving three match points. Murray, ranked 40th to his opponent’s 39th, also lifted the Toronto Masters trophy here in 2009 and 2010.

Murray’s opening set lasted 90 minutes, with the two-time Wimbledon winner saving set points in the 10th game.

He profitted from Sonego’s 44 unforced errors to sweep into the second round.

“I’m really pleased to have won. Those were blustery conditions,” Murray said. “The wind was changing conditions during the points.

“We knew it would be like this after hitting here this morning. The breeze added a bit of stress.”

Andy Murray said getting through the first set was a challenge.

“It was tight, there were a lot of opportunities on both sides,” he said. “I managed to sneak through the tiebreaker, he probably got disappointed and I relaxed a bit in the second set.

“I hope to build confidence and win a few matches,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion, who exited last week in the Washington third round to Taylor Fritz.

“I had success here but it was a long time ago. Hopefully I can build some momentum.”

Former ATP number two Alexander Zverev, seeded 13th and playing here for the first time in four years, extended his current win streak to six matches after taking his home event in Hamburg last month.

The German battled the wind for an hour and three-quarters to prevail.

He sent down an ace for three match points and won as his opponent missed on a drop shot attempt.

Alexander Zverev ended with 27 winners and 20 unforced errors — the exact reversal of Griekspoor’s 20 and 27.

“It was a win in tough conditions,” Zverev said. “It was very windy.

“I’m just happy to get through. I hope it gets nicer to play tomorrow.”

Britain failed to get two men into the Toronto Masters second round as 11th-seeded Cameron Norrie went down 7-5, 6-4 to weekend Los Cabos finalist Alex de Minaur of Australia.

Britain suffered another blow as Dan Evans, who took his first ATP title in 2 1/2 years on Sunday at Washington, lost to Canadian wild card Gabriel Diallo 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, the local taking his first tour-level match triumph.

Canada lost its number one as Felix Auger-Aliassime suffered his fifth consecutive loss on his 23rd birthday, falling 6-4, 6-4 to Australian qualifier Max Purcell, the world number 78 whose next foe will be Andy Murray.

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LONDON: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal headline the title chase at Wimbledon where eight-time champion Roger Federer, the world’s top two players and cherished ranking points will all be missing.

Djokovic is bidding for a seventh title at the All England Club to move level with US great Pete Sampras.

Nadal, fresh from a 14th French Open victory and a record-extending 22nd major, is halfway to the first men’s calendar Grand Slam in more than half a century.

The season’s third Slam tournament has already made political waves even before the first ball is served on Monday.

The decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine means there is no place for world number one Daniil Medvedev or eighth-ranked Andrey Rublev.

Both the ATP and WTA, who control the men’s and women’s tours, retaliated by stripping ranking points from the tournament.

For the first time since his debut in 1999 — notwithstanding the Covid-cancelled 2020 edition — Federer will be a no-show as the 40-year-old recovers from knee surgery.

Also missing is Germany’s world number two Alexander Zverev, who suffered serious ankle ligament damage in a horrific injury in his French Open semi-final against Nadal.

However, Medvedev and Zverev have never shone at Wimbledon with neither man making it past the fourth round.

Djokovic and Nadal, ranked three and four, are the top seeds meaning if they are to face each other for the 60th time, it can only be in the final.

Djokovic, the champion in 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021, could be playing in his final Slam of the year.

His refusal to be vaccinated is likely to rule him out of the US Open later this year.

A bruising quarter-final loss to Nadal at the French Open which saw him deposed as champion in Paris will also likely provide extra motivation.

Nadal won the last of his two Wimbledon titles in 2010 having captured his first with an epic triumph over Federer two years earlier.

The 36-year-old Spaniard arrives at Wimbledon with the Australian and French Opens secured.

He is halfway to becoming only the third man — and first since Rod Laver in 1969 — to complete a calendar Grand Slam.

Nadal has endured a bittersweet relationship with Wimbledon.

Two titles have been accompanied by three lost finals as well as injury-enforced absences in 2004, 2009, 2016, and 2021.

There remains a question mark over his durability for the two weeks at Wimbledon having played the entire French Open with his troublesome left foot anesthetized.

Nadal has since undergone a course of radiofrequency stimulation, a treatment aimed at reducing nerve pain in his foot.

“I love Wimbledon,” said Nadal. “I had a lot of success there. A player like me, I am always ready to play Wimbledon.”

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PARIS: The Spaniard Rafael Nadal has qualified for his 14th French Open final in a dramatic way as his German opponent Alexander Zverev retired hurt after sustaining a serious ankle injury.

An epic semi-final clash between the World No.5 Nadal and the third seed Zverev, was cut short 7-6(8), 6-6 as the latter has to retire after rolling his ankle while moving to his right, tracking down a Nadal forehand deep behind the baseline.

The German had to leave the court in a wheelchair, which resulted in Nadal reaching his 14th final of the Grand Slam. The Spaniard is now just one win away from lifting a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam trophy.

In a hard-fought clash, Nadal rallied from a break down and forced the set into a tie-breaker before going on to claim the first set after displaying great determination and skills in a mammoth one hour and 31 minutes.

The Spaniard, again showed his class in the second set, rallying from 3-5 to force what would have been another tie-break. Zverev’s injury, however, caused an early end of the match – which was on course for being the best match of the season.

Zverev’s heartbreak in the all-important semi-final has also halted his chances of rising to No.1 in the ATP Rankings by winning his first grand slam.

Nadal, on the other hand, will face either Casper Ruud or Marin Cilic in the French Open final and a victory in the final will result in the Spaniard becoming the oldest champion by eclipsing Andres Gimeno.

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