German fifth seed Alexander Zverev has reached the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time in his career after easing past Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
The world No.7 never looked in trouble throughout his comprehensive 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, win over the 21-year-old who had only ever won one Grand Slam main draw match prior to the tournament. During the 91-minute clash Zverev fired 19 aces and blasted 38 winners past his rival to become the first German man to reach the last eight in New York since Tommy Haas back in 2007.
It took just over an hour for Zverev to open up a two-set lead against his opponent on the Louis Armstrong Arena after breaking five times in total. Davidovich Fokina illustrated glimmers of his talent but they were never consistent enough to trouble Zverev in their encounter. Then to add to the woes of the Spaniard he struggled with a foot injury and required a medical time out during the third frame. Despite the break, it failed to have any impact of Zverev’s stronghold on the match as he raced to a one-sided victory.
“Definitely in the third set I saw that he slowed down a little bit. Especially on his serve he couldn’t push off that leg any more,” Zverev said during his on-court interview.
“But I think the first two sets were pretty good quality from me. There are still things to work on but I’m in the quarter-finals and that can only be a good thing.”
Suffering an early loss to Andy Murray in the tournament leading up to the US Open, questions were raised about Zverev’s current form. Although these concerns have been played down by the 23-year-old who has also scored wins over Kevin Anderson, Brandon Nakashima and Adrian Mannarino in the previous rounds at the Grand Slam.
Following his latest victory, Zverev unexpectedly defended the US Open amid criticism they have received from some players over their bubble policy. On the eve of the Grand Slam Benoit Paire was removed from the event after testing positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, a group of players deemed to be closed contacts of Paire had to be placed under tougher restrictions. Then on Saturday Kristina Mladenovic, who is a member of the group, was removed from the doubles draw following a new ruling by health officials. Prompting an angry response from her doubles partner Timea Babos.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for six months. I mean, everybody has been waiting for this moment,” Zverev said about playing at Flushing Meadows.
“I know a lot of players have been complaining about some things but I don’t think it is really necessary to complain right now because we are all just happy right now to be able to play tennis.”
Elaborating further, he says that those who have criticised the event had the option of not attending and therefore shouldn’t be complaining. Zverev made no direct references to any specific examples.
“I actually think the US Open has been doing an amazing job,” he commented about the New York bubble players are living in.
“Of course we are not living in a four seasons (hotel) but you gotta see it from a different perspective. We’re playing and we are happy to be out here playing.’
“There was the option for players who are complaining to stay home. In my opinion, I give credit to the US Open for putting on this event. The venue is very different but I think it is better with the whole empty space.”
Zverev will play either Borna Coric or Jordan Thompson in the next round.
