Alexander Zverev, 4th in the world and finalist last year, qualified with authority with for the US Open semifinals, by removing 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-4 South African Lloyd Harris (46th), Wednesday in New York.
The 24-year-old German could then cross paths with Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows, if the Serbian No. 1 in the world, in search of a historic Grand Slam calendar, manages to pass the obstacle Matteo Berrettini (8th) in the evening.
Zverev, who serves as a serious contender for the title, since his Olympic gold medal gleaned in Tokyo, having in the process discarded “Nole” in the semi-final, and the victory of the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati two weeks ago, put a set to take the measure of his opponent, who had so far never passed the 3rd round of a Major.
After having broken down immediately to return to 5-4, he was pushed to the decisive game, Harris obtaining a set point at 6-5. On which, the German chained three points by taking advantage of direct errors at the worst moment of his rival, to pocket the first round.
Zverev continues its very good momentum
Frustrated, the South African violently threw two bottles on the ground, which burst and sprayed the court at the level of the left lane. Which led him, along with Zverev, to wipe the cement by dragging towels with their feet, to help the staff at work.
The German, who had finally grasped the momentum, wanted to take advantage of the momentum. And he also broke from the start, starting to let go of his blows, in particular his famous devastating long line backhands, his service (20 aces) taking care of ensuring the gain of the second set.
Same scenario in the third, Harris immediately conceding his faceoff, then the next. Zverev then unrolled, executing his punches perfectly, including some nice climbs on the fly. Author of a start, his rival robbed him of a service game, but he refocused perfectly to keep his second break in advance and finish it in just over two hours.
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A show of strength that will boost his confidence for the future, he who was so close to winning the New York Grand Slam last year, being two points from victory against the Austrian Dominic Thiem, finally overthrowing in five sets.
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