Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz played one of the most thrilling matches at this year’s Roland Garros. World no. 3 moved into his fifth Major semi-final following a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 triumph over a teenager. Carlos game his best on Court Philippe-Chatrier, missing a set point in the fourth set tie break and losing a match after 14 consecutive victories. Zverev needed three hours and 18 minutes to prevail and deliver his first victory over a top-10 rival at Majors! The German served at 71% and threw everything he had at his opponent. Zverev saved four out of six break points and delivered three return games from eight opportunities to seal the deal ahead of the decider. Alexander had 39 winners and 34 unforced errors, matching the rival’s pace and reducing the number of mistakes.
Alcaraz counted 46 winners and 56 errors, spraying too many loose strokes and missing a set point in the fourth set’s tie break to plague his chances. Zverev forged the advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, while nothing separated them in the more advanced exchanges. The opening set saw eight comfortable holds and two that offered chances to the returners. Alexander saved a break point in the second game to avoid an early setback. He grabbed a break at 2-2 with a sharp return and served well in the remaining games to claim the opener 6-4 after a backhand winner in game ten.
Alexander Zverev toppled Carlos Alcaraz after a thrilling battle in Paris.
Carlos took one point more on the return in the second set but could not seize his opportunities. He wasted a break point at 2-1 after a loose return and lost serve in game seven after a failed attack at the net. The Spaniard missed a break point in game ten, and the German clinched the third set point with an ace for 6-4, 6-4 after an hour and 29 minutes. The third set saw eight commanding holds on both sides before Alcaraz faced a break point in the ninth game. Facing elimination, the youngster placed a perfect drop shot winner to save it and bring the game home. With a boost on his side, Carlos broke at 15 in game ten to wrap up the set and extend his chances. Like set number three, the fourth saw good serving on both sides until 4-4. This time, Zverev broke Alcaraz in the ninth game after the Spaniard’s double fault and served for the victory in the next one.
Giving his 120%, Carlos broke back with a backhand winner to lock the result at 5-5 and extend the drama. The set went into a tie break, and Zverev placed a backhand down the line winner in the eighth point for 4-4. A perfect drop shot sent Alcaraz 5-4 ahead, and Zverev climbed back to 5-5 with a backhand down the line winner. Carlos cracked a backhand down the line to force Alexander’s mistake and create a set point. A teenager netted a backhand to miss his chance and keep the rival in contention. The German placed a volley winner at the net for 7-6 and the first match point. Zverev netted a backhand to squander it before earning the second with a winner at the net at 7-7. Alexander fired a backhand down the line return winner to clinch the breaker 9-7 and move into the semi-final.
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