Alexander Zverev was a set away from winning a Major title two times. Yet, the German is still without the most notable trophy of our sport despite winning over 100 matches on the biggest tennis stage. World no. 2 served for the win against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final, missing a massive chance and earning another in Paris this June.
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Zverev led two sets to one against Carlos Alcaraz before losing ground, enduring another heartbreaking Major campaign. Roger Federer spoke about his former rival ahead of the Laver Cup, citing Alexander's passiveness in his failed Major attempts, especially in the crucial moments.
The Swiss praised the German and his skills while encouraging him to go for the points and take the initiative. Zverev confirmed the 20-time Major winner's words, understanding that completely and recognizing again how poorly he played in the US Open quarter-final.
The German entered his 35th Major as one of the favorites but could repeat the 2020 run.
The former finalist faced the home player Taylor Fritz and suffered a 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 loss in three hours and 26 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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The 4th seed described his performance as terrible and tragic, blasting his backhand, especially in the crucial moments. With too many errors, Alexander was unsure about his game plan and tactic, struggling while attacking or extending the exchanges.
The 4th seed served at 71% and landed 14 aces. However, he offered his rival 13 break points, defending 11 but failing to force a decider. Fritz dominated with his first serve, facing only four break points and suffering two breaks en route to his first Major semi-final.
The American outplayed his rival in both tie breaks, forging the crucial difference and enjoying a memorable night in front of the partisan crowd. Alexander held at love in the second game of the match and reached two deuces on the return in the next one.
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Taylor brought it home and earned a break chance in the next one after welcoming the rival's volley mistake.
Roger Federer shared his thoughts about Alexander Zverev's flaws.
The German denied it after the rival's backhand error and held for 2-2. The 12th seed held at love in the fifth game and reached another deuce on the return before the 4th seed closed it with a volley winner, keeping his initial shot intact.
The servers made no errors in the next four games, with Zverev holding at 15 at 4-5 to expand the battle. Fritz stayed composed and held at 15 in game 11, keeping the pressure on the other side. The American stepped in on the return in the 12th game and forced the rival's mistake for three set points.
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Alexander brought his powerful initial shot and defended them, holding and introducing a tie break. After early mini-breaks, the home favorite raised his level and forged a 5-2 advantage after the German's wayward forehand.
Taylor landed two winners, securing the opener after 55 minutes and gathering a boost. Zverev raised his level in the second set, producing five holds and clinching his first break of the duel.
After seven fine holds on both sides, world no.
4 delivered the first break of the encounter when his rival sprayed a forehand error, moving 5-3 in front and serving for the set. The former finalist held at 30 in the ninth game, locking the overall score at 1-1 after an hour and 37 minutes and keeping himself in contention.
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Fritz lost the advantage in the third set before taking it in the tie break, building another lead and moving closer to the finish line. Taylor saved a break point in the first game after the rival's forehand error and grabbed a break in the next one after Alexander's other mistake.
Zverev started to climb back at 0-3, holding in game four and pulling the break back in the next one when the 12th seed netted a routine forehand. The German served well in games six and eight and placed a volley winner at 4-4 for a break point.
He missed a backhand, and it would cost him dearly. The American held for 5-4 and earned five set points on the return in the next one.
The better-ranked player denied four before spraying a backhand mistake on the fifth, propelling his rival two sets to one in front after two hours and 27 minutes.
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Fritz served well in the fourth set and earned a massive chance to break the rival's resistance in game six. Zverev played against two break chances, saving them and staying on the positive side for more drama. There were no chances for the returners in the second part of the set, as two rivals introduced the second tie break.
Taylor collected an early mini-break and won two points on serve for 4-1. The home star secured another mini-break with a volley winner in the seventh point and generated three match points after the opponent's wayward backhand.
Alexander sprayed a forehand error on the first, propelling his rival into the first Major semi-final. "That's nothing I do not know. It's absolutely clear to me that I did not play the way I wanted. The match against Taylor turned into a disaster. What Roger said is completely fine," Alexander Zverev said.
