For the third consecutive time, Alexander Zverev will be playing in the Roland Garros semifinals after beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Although ranked 49th on the ATP Tour, the young Argentinian meant a real challenge for the German as he was only one of two players that reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Roland Garros without losing a set. The other one? The 22-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic who already reached the semifinals.
But Zverev reached the semifinals at Roland Garros in 2021 and also 2022 when he suffered a potentially career-threatening injury that forced him to miss the second half of the last season. But he was able to overcome it and show his best tennis one year later.
The first set was handled much better from the German than his unexperienced opponent from Argentina. Zverev started better and in the seventh game, he used one of his break points to get the needed lead and win the first set 6-4 a few games later.
But Etcheverry showed why he got into the quarterfinals in the next set. He was able to play much better on his own serve and thanks to improving also on the return, he broke Zverev's serve twice and levelled the score at 1-1 by winning the second set 6-3.
The Argentinian started well also in the third set, leading 2-0, but that's when Zverev took control of the match and never lost it again. After three hours and 25 minutes, the German won the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach yet another Roland Garros semifinal.
As he proceeds to the semi-finals, Zverev will face either Casper Ruud or Holger Rune. He will surely continue his quest for his maiden major title with the same tenacity that has carried him through the tournament so far and he'll also hope that he match will be played during the day as he admitted.
"The conditions during the day are a lot better for me. The ball is a lot faster and bounces higher. I love to play on clay and day conditions are better... I am in the semi-finals at Roland Garros and I am happy about that. The 5-4 game [in the fourth set] was incredible from both of us. He was hitting the ball extremely hard and I was hitting the ball extremely hard. At the end of the day I think I deserved to win."
Zverev praised Etcheverry for his incredible tennis and aggressive play, comparing his style to that of Juan Martin del Potro.
"He is playing incredible tennis. He reminds me a lot of [Juan Martin] del Potro. The way he plays and the way he hits his forehand. He is an incredible player. I think if he continues to play like this he will be in the quarter-finals here a lot more and he can be Top 10 and win big tournaments. He proved it this week and I wish him nothing but the best."
After the most difficult year of his life, Zverev was able to produce his best tennis again, but what's even more important for the German, he could compete again.
"It was the most difficult year of my life. I love tennis with all my heart and the competitiveness that was taken away a year ago. I am so happy to be back at this stage."
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