Even rain interruptions and a strong local hero cannot stop Alexander Zverev. The Hamburg native is in the semifinals in Cincinnati, where the number one player is waiting.
For the third time in a row, tennis pro Alexander Zverev has reached the semifinals of the tournament in Cincinnati. The German number one won a close match against the American Ben Shelton 3:6, 7:6 (7:3), 7:5. In the semifinals this evening (not before 9 p.m./Sky), Zverev will face the world number one Jannik Sinner from Italy.
The match against local hero Shelton was interrupted several times due to rain, including when the score was 3:4 and 4:5 from Zverev’s perspective in the third set. Both times it was Zverev’s turn to serve. “It’s not easy. You want to be in rhythm and that takes you out of your comfort zone,” Zverev explained after the match about the interruptions. The 27-year-old from Hamburg successfully fought against being eliminated after struggling to find his way into the match.
Success despite difficult circumstances
The 21-year-old world number 14 Shelton served strongly, and the left-hander, who was loudly supported by the home fans, was closer to victory for a long time. “It was very difficult with the windy conditions, when you have no rhythm and when someone serves like he does,” said Zverev. “For the first one and a half sets I had no idea what I was doing. That’s why I’m very happy that I managed it in the end.”
The fourth-ranked player in the world won the Masters tournament in Cincinnati in 2021 and was also in the semifinals last year. The event serves as preparation for the US Open. The last Grand Slam tournament of the season in New York begins in two weeks.
Source: Stern
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