Alexander Zverev showcased his resilience and big-match temperament to edge past Tommy Paul 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1 in a gripping quarterfinal clash at the Australian Open. With set points saved in both of the opening sets, Zverev secured his third semi-final berth in Melbourne and moved one step closer to his maiden Grand Slam title.
Zverev delivered when it mattered most, capitalizing on Tommy Paul’s untimely errors in crucial moments. Despite trailing in both the first and second sets, the German’s mental fortitude shone through, as he saved set points before dominating both tie-breaks.
“To be honest, I should have been down two sets to love,” Zverev admitted candidly in his on-court interview. “He played better than me, but somehow I turned it around. The fourth set was my best tennis of the match.”
The win marked Zverev’s ninth Grand Slam semi-final and his 30th Australian Open victory, surpassing Boris Becker’s record for the most singles wins by a German man at the tournament. Though Paul impressed with his aggressive, all-court game—racking up 44 winners and a 74% net success rate—his 56 unforced errors ultimately cost him.
Paul’s frustration peaked in the final set as Zverev’s steadiness prevailed, despite late resistance from the American. A stunning passing shot denied Zverev a 6-0 scoreline, but it was a mere consolation as the German closed out the match in four sets.
Awaiting Zverev is the winner of a blockbuster quarterfinal between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. “They’re two of the greatest players ever,” Zverev said. “It’s a privilege to witness their clash here.”
For Paul, there’s a silver lining: a guaranteed Top 10 debut in the ATP Rankings.
