Alcaraz ends Zverev’s US Open run, sets up semi-final showdown with Medvedev

Carlos Alcaraz took advantage of a fatigued Alexander Zverev to win in straight sets at the US Open on Wednesday. Alcaraz will face Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.

7 September 2023

Carlos Alcaraz at the 2023 US Open (Zuma/Panoramic)

Ricky Dimon

US Open •Quarter-final • completed

See draw

C. AlcarazvsA. Zverev

Facing Carlos Alcaraz is tough enough even when you are full strength. When you are coming off a five-set, close to five-hour marathon in the previous round, the task becomes even more monumental.

Such was the fate suffered by Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Wednesday night. Zverev had been 3-2 lifetime in the head-to-head series with Alcaraz, but the German had just endured an energy-sapping thriller against Jannik Sinner on Monday and clearly wasn’t 100 percent for this showdown.

Although Zverev battled until the end after it looked like he might retire early in the third set, he was no match for Alcaraz in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 loss. The top-seeded Spaniard advanced to the semi-finals after two hours and 30 minutes of play.

Next up for Alcaraz is 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who defeated fellow Russian Andrey Rublev in straight sets.

Zverev misses early opportunities

Before he went downhill physically, Zverev had chances in the opening set. The 26-year-old earned the first two break chances of the match with his opponent serving at 3-3. However, neither one was converted and from there Alcaraz had the momentum the rest of the way. The 20-year-old broke in the next game for 5-3 and was off to the races.

“I was in the match the first set,” Zverev assessed. “I could have broken; it could have gone my way. It didn’t. Then the second set I felt something in my hamstring glute, left side. I couldn’t push off on my serve anymore. My serve speed was down quite a lot compared to the other days. Against him especially I needed a good serving day, otherwise it would have been difficult.

I think my biggest weapon was kind of taken away after the first set
Alexander Zverev

“I think my biggest weapon was kind of taken away after the first set, and it’s difficult to even compete if you don’t have that.”

It was still a productive tournament for Zverev, who is on the comeback trail in 2023 following his ankle injury at Roland-Garros last spring. The world No 12 beat Australian Aleksandar Vukic (6-4, 6-4, 6-4), Daniel Altmaier (7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3), Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the No 19 seed (6-7 (2), 7-6 (8), 6-1, 6-1) and Sinner, the No 6 seed (6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3).

Alcaraz perfect on break points

The entire match could have been more competitive if Alcaraz had not been so dominant on break points. In addition to those two crucial games at 3-3 and 4-3 in the first set, the defending champion amazingly enough won all nine of the break points in Wednesday’s match. He capitalized on four of four against the Zverev serve and saved five of five on his own serve.

“Obviously watching the level Sascha was playing in the first set, being able to win it was great for me,” Alcaraz reflected. “[It gave] me more confidence and probably he got down a little bit in the second set. (I) took my chances.

“So it was great. Coming to third set, knowing that I’m up, playing a great level, for him it was really, really tough. Obviously he was struggling a little bit physically in the third set, but it was great to be able to win in the straight sets.”