US Open: With back pain: Zverev wants to spoil the game

Alexander Zverev laughed freely and cheered towards the top stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. But after the undisturbed second-round success, the tennis Olympic champion also admitted that he is not free of physical complaints in New York. Yes, his back is still causing problems for him.

“That will not change in the next two weeks,” Zverev said before his further hoped-for path to the desired Grand Slam title and the duel with the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday.

Zverev wants to spoil the Sinner Alcaraz party

The back has been a factor for weeks. With the approximate 6: 4, 6: 4, 6: 4 against the British Jacob Fearnley, Zverev still moved into the third round of the US Open for the seventh time. The Hamburger then charged the more sensitive task in his place interview.

What does he think as number three in the world when people talk about the big two? “It’s okay to be honest,” said Zverev. Sinner (4 titles) and Alcaraz (5), unlike Zverev multiple Grand slam champions, deserved any respect. “I am here to spoil the party,” the German number one pushed behind: “I will try to do it.”

In the struggle for the round of 16 in the round of 16, auer aliasimer is now waiting. As a teenager, the Canadian fueled huge expectations as a future hope in men’s tennis. However, the 25-year-old shares the fate with Zverev that the very big Grand slam hopes have not been met.

Positive record against Auer-Alicassime

“When he plays well, he plays really well. If he doesn’t play well, he really doesn’t play well,” Zverev said his experience with number 27 in the world. “Now he is in the third round. That means he plays well. Then of course it’s a difficult game. But it is a game that has been quite well located in the past, pretty good.” He won six of eight games-but lost the only previous Grand Slam duel 2021 in Wimbledon.

When performing against Fearnley, Zverev could also allow himself to smile about a fan, to applaud the opponent for a spectacular blow and to leave out the first five match balls. The fact that a trailer held a picture with a lion and Zverev with a lion mane also enjoyed him when the captured picture ran on the video screen. “It was a very, very funny and very nice lady,” said Zverev with a smile.

Zverev satisfied with his US Open appearance

The world ranking 60. Fearnley, who could be treated on the shoulder in the first set, in the end against the defeat. The 24-year-old reduced in set three from 5: 1 for Zverev to 5: 4, but could never seriously endanger him. Overall, Zverev’s victory could have been clearer.

“He started playing incredible tennis. He made it interesting in the end,” said Zverev. “I felt comfortable on the pitch. Of course you can still improve something.”

Deruine whether Zverev is ready for a possible semi -finals with Sinner, you can get little from the appearance against Fearnley. Or nothing? “Even Alcaraz and Sinner do not have to play as they have to play against each other or against me,” said the Australian Open finalist. “There are still many days ahead of us. But at the moment we are now satisfied with my level.”

Altmaier served from below-victory over Tsitsipa’s largest New York moment

Daniel Altmaier should be more than satisfied. After a famous tennis thriller, including a deflected match ball and a surcharge from below against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Kempener also strives for the round of 16. With the Famosen 7: 6 (7: 5), 1: 6, 4: 6, 6: 3, 7: 5, the Kempener passed his second five-set test over more than four hours in a row.

When his greatest success had been determined by the US Open so far, he let himself be plumed on the floor and also did not spoil the joy of Tsitsipas’ trouble when having. “I left my heart here on the pitch. I play tennis for moments like these,” said the Kempener. Rumping on the fitness bike at one o’clock in the morning should help him for the desired next coup against the Australian Alex de Minaur.