Australian Open semi for Zverev

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

AFTER BACKHANDING the ball into the crowd when Carlos Alcaraz sent his service return too long, Alexander Zverev screamed. He shook both arms in a victory celebration and again he screamed, a mix of triumph and relief.

Any self-doubt that he could contend for major titles again were expunged in a 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4 quarterfinal win yesterday over the brightest rising star in tennis, earning Zverev a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals against Daniil Medvedev.

He had missed a chance to serve it out in straight sets but didn’t waste his second opportunity.

A serious ankle injury at the 2022 French Open and the ensuing layoff made him wonder if he really was good enough to win a Grand Slam title.

A pending trial in a German court over an assault allegation dating back to 2020 has had critics questioning his status on the tour. He has denied the accusations and declined comment on the judicial proceedings scheduled for May.

Alcaraz won Wimbledon last year and was the only player to beat 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam match in 2023.

Zverev went through Alcaraz’s credentials as he digested Wednesday’s win: number one or number two in the world, two major titles, etc, etc.

“Look, I’m playing one of the best players in the world,” Zverev said. “Then when you start winning, obviously your brain starts going. It’s not always helpful, but I’m happy I got it at the end.”

Speaking in a news conference at almost 3 a.m. Australia time, Zverev considered the win over Alcaraz as his most important since the ankle surgery.

“I was on top of my game before the injury happened,” he said. “I’m extremely happy to be back where I am and winning these kinds of matches, giving myself the chance again. Because last year ... I wasn’t a Slam contender.”

Alcaraz missed the 2023 Australian Open with injury and was into the quarterfinals here for the first time, completing a Grand Slam set.

He had dropped only one set and spent five fewer hours on court than Zverev in the four previous rounds.

“I’m sad with my level today because I have been playing good tennis,” Alcaraz said. “Obviously, quarterfinal of a Grand Slam is a good run. It’s not what I’m looking for, but is not bad.”

Medvedev, a two-time finalist in Australia, outlasted ninth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to make it to the semi-finals here for the third time in four years.

“I’m so destroyed right now,” number-three-ranked Medvedev, the 2021 US Open winner, said of his tough run in Melbourne that included a nearly four-and-a-half hour, five-set second-round win that finished at 3:39 a.m.

In the other semi-final, Djokovic, on a 33-match winning streak at the Australian Open, will play Jannik Sinner, who beat him twice in three matches at the end of last year.

The women’s semi-final line-up was completed when number 12 Zheng Qinwen won 10 of the last 11 games to fend off Anna Kalinskaya 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1 yesterday, and Dayana Yastremska beat Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4. Zheng was making her first Grand Slam final four.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and US Open winner Coco Gauff will meet in the other semi-final.