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Alexander Zverev

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2022 French Open Day 13: Rafa Nadal v Alexander Zverev semi-final tie came to an heartbreaking end over Zverev’s ankle injury

by Sports Benches

It wasn’t the ending we wanted to see when Alexander Zverev injured his ankle & retired hurt while trying to stop Rafa Nadal from winning the 2nd set. But this semi-final tie had to be wrapped up immediately as Nadal will advance to Sunday’s main event v Norwegian Casper Ruud at Court Philippe Chatrier. The final score was done just over three overs of play via walkover; 7-6 via 10-8 tiebreaker, 6-6.

Zverev fired off with the early headstart that helped him took advantage earlier in both sets ahead of Rafa. He also showed plenty of fight every time he tries go past set point but just couldn’t find the response & finishing needed to hold off his opponent, especially when after he chased the ball so hard but then lightning struck that sent him a huge blow to his ankle. We’re all gutted not to see Zverev continue playing where we send him best wishes with his recovery, before he hopes to come back sooner rather than later by going one better towards another grand slam final since the 2020 US Open.

And Nadal proved to be the better fighter with a brilliant response and execution that helped him pass Zverev through each set. He’s got so much patience with a close lens in Zverev’s natural game where not only Rafa cancelled his Zverev’s fast start, but he also held him back through the very end through another lifeline to close it out and he came out unscathed on top. Although it wasn’t a happy ending when his opponent injured his ankle, all Rafa did was to shake hands with respect before he moves onto the next challenge towards another possible grand slam title of 2022 tomorrow.

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2022 French Open Day 10: Rafa Nadal books his semi-final berth v Alexander Zverez after he defeated Novak Djokovic during a four-hour Quarter-Final showdown

by Sports Benches

What a match it has been after a gruelling four hours of play between Novak Djokovic & Rafa Nadal to close out Day 10 of the 2022 French Open. Nadal was too good to open this quarter-final account while Djokovic fought back in the 2nd set, even though it was a very competitive battle to tie 1-1 apiece. However, it’s Nadal who responded well to Djokovic’s fight with another easy 3rd set spell, before he denied the Serbian a 5th set lifeline that turned into his semi-final’s ticket for tomorrow v Alexander Zverev from Germany. The final score is 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-7 via 4-7 tiebreaker.

Djokovic was gutted not to make the Final 4 on his first grand slam campaign of 2022 at the French Open. He shown plenty of fight in a bid to stay in contention against a tough elite grand slam opponent, having responded well from the opening set down before Djokovic almost tied Nadal at 2-2 towards a possible 5th set decider. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t find a way to overtake Nadal for the lead, as well as the need to stay ahead, which ultimately cost Djokovic a semi-final berth.

And congratulations to Nadal after a hard-fought win v the reigning French Open champion. He fired off well very easily for a start with the opening set lead. Now Nadal may have fallen just short by a game or two in the 2nd set, but he’s so good at responding to this fight where he was too good in the 3rd set, cancelled Djokovic’s lifeline towards a possible 5th set decider & turned into a win of his own here under the lights at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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Tennis News, Denis Shapovalov just eliminated 3rd Seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets as he will meet Rafael Nadal in the Quarter-Final match-up on Tuesday

by Sports Benches

We’ve just seen one fantastic Round 4 match from the Rafa Nadal v Adrian Mannarino tie to another, as Denis Shapovalov has just eliminated the 3rd seed from Germany Alexander Zverev at Margaret Court Arena. It’s an easier run this time having overcome a couple of long grueling spells in the opening three rounds beforehand, and the Canadian managed to wrap this up in straight sets (3-6, 6-7 via 5-7 tiebreaker & 3-6) where he will now face Rafa Nadal on Tuesday in which will be an interesting take here.

Zverev’s 2022 campaign in Melbourne has came to an end after Round 4, he did his best to stay in the game during the 2nd set via tiebreaker from the opening set down but unable to unpack most of the fire and executions for the majority where Shapovalov noticed his weaknesses, built a decent lead as this tie goes on & couldn’t hold him off following the 2nd set.

And Shapovalov once again unbeaten so far after the first week of the 2022 Australian Open, he credits his ability to play during these long spells which played a part of his upset against the 3rd seed today. Seeing the 14th seed Canadian build such an early lead + escape a 2nd set tiebreak before getting the job done in straight sets is incredible, these types of skillsets will throw Nadal on the pressure cooker & see if this will shock his next opponent towards the semis in two days.

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Team Europe extends their lead going into the afternoon session of Day 2 with two wins from Stefanos Tsitsipas & Alexander Zverev

by Sports Benches

Team World may have earned a late win at the end of Day 1 last night in the only doubles game but continued to struggle going into Day 2 when it comes to the singles battle, yes there may be really close thanks to John Isner who fought back from the first set down but even in the toughest of challenges he just unable to regroup in the 3rd set tiebreaker.

Meanwhile, Team Europe extend their lead at 7-1 as Alexander Zverev overcame Isner until the very end after extremely competitive rallies in between before Stefanos Tsitsipas didn’t find it difficult to nail down Nick Kyrgios in straight sets.

Scores: 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker to Zverev), 6-7 (6-8 tiebreaker to Isner) & 10-5 to Zverev

6-3 Tsitsipas, 6-4 Tsitsipas

There’s two matches to come for the rest of Day 2 with Daniil Medvedev v Denis Shapovalov followed by a lone double meeting of Andrey Rublev/Stefanos Tsitsipas v John Isner/Nick Kyrgios.

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Tennis Australia News, 2021 Australian Open 1st Quarter Final Men’s Singles Game: Novak Djokovic v Alexander Zverev

by Sports Benches

Alexander Zverev fired off to a great start ahead of Novak Djokovic. With a healthy lead 5-3. Although Novak fired back to catch up during the 2nd half run of play.

The first stage portion went into a tiebreaker. Despite the stalled progress there from Zverev. He won this mini overtime 8-6 to close Novak out with the 1st set. As the German leads here 1-0.

But Novak able to from the 2nd half of Stage 1. When the Serbian pulled off an easy start to touch the halfway mark 1st 3-0. Before it was too easy to tie with Zverev for the overall lead 1-1. As Djokovic takes out the Stage 2 win 6-2. With both men trying to vie for the semi-final spot.

Stage 3 saw Zverev jump back ahead of Novak with the lead. At least in the 1st half. And despite frustration from Novak with whacking his tennis racket. The Serbian bounced back out of nowhere having tied 4-4. Before the World No.1 pipped Zverev for the Stage 3 win 6-4.

Novak still lacking the feel as always in the 1st run. When Zverev at the same time was out in front 3-0. With just another stage win needed from the German to stay alive. He almost sinked Novak at 6-5.

But Novak held him short 6-6 going into a mini overtime. With one way or another we will really know who will end up winning this game. Both players gone through each of these tough duels 6-6. Before Novak closed Zverev out for the Stage 4 win 8-6 in the tiebreaker. Which means Novak won three stages throughout the night. As he will face Aslan Karastev from Russia in the semi-final. The final score is 6-7 (6-8 tie), 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6 tie).

Zverev unfortunately came up short in the end. Always shown great ability to fire off each set. So he can try and stay away from Novak. But mightily struggled to bridge these conversions. Where it was the one area that left him down last night.

Djokovic on the other hand might have experienced some slow fire offs. Having fell behind Zverev at least during the 1st half portion. Even at one time he whacked his tennis racket in such agony. But Novak always catches up. Where he always consistent in each of the 2nd half. Before he blew Zverev by the closest of margins.

Brilliant match played by these two superstars. But Novak is the overall winner though. Roll on Day 10 of the Australian Open.

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