“He’s the best player in the world,” Alexander Zverev makes a heartwarming assessment about Carlos Alcaraz after brutally crushing the Spaniard’s dream run at the Australian Open

Zverev defeated the World No.2 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4 to reach the semis at the 2024 Australian Open.

“He’s the best player in the world,” Alexander Zverev makes a heartwarming assessment about Carlos Alcaraz after brutally crushing the Spaniard’s dream run at the Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev(Images via: Marca.com, NY Post)

Alexander Zverev lauds Carlos Alcaraz as the best player in the world after victory in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Zverev defeated World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4 to reach the semifinals in Melbourne. Carlos Alcaraz, who has been a favorite to reach the final, was short of power and tenacity in the opening two rounds.

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Following the dominant win against the tournament favorite, Alexander Zverev was so emotional after the four-set thriller win that it gave him a place in the semifinals. The German produced one of his best performances ever and showed that he can still perform like he did in 2020, after an abysmal 2023.

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When asked during the on-court interview how gutted he was not to take the third set and put the match to bed, Zverev lauded the young tennis star. 

I mean, I made it complicated in a way, but also credit to him. I mean, I felt like he started to play his best tennis being down 5-2 in the third. But I thought I had the perfect start, in a way. I was rushing him quite a lot. I was playing extremely aggressive. Kind of taking the racquet out of his hands.
The 26-year-old said in an oncourt interview

Moreover, Alexander Zverev’s metronomic serve and bullet-proof backhand were what subdued Alcaraz throughout the game. 

Because to be honest, you have to do that against him. If you let him control the points, let him control the game, and the pace of the game, he's unbeatable. He's the best player in the world when it comes to that. I had to take it into my own hands, and I felt like I did that well.
Continuing further, Zverev added

Zverev to play Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals

Alexander Zverev will face Russian Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the Australian Open. The German comprehensively outplayed his quarterfinal opponent Carlos Alcaraz to reach the last four of the tournament.

Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev (Source: Tennis365)
Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev (Source: Tennis365)

This is Zverev’s 7th Grand Slam semifinal of his career, one he will love to win but will have to face stern Medvedev, a player he lost to in five of their last six meetings. However, even though Medvedev holds an 11-7 career head-to-head record over Zverev, the German can spring surprises.

The biggest concern for Zverev now would be the blood blisters he suffered on his feed during the riveting fourth set against Alcaraz. That was the same blister he suffered when Dominic Thiem defeated him in the semifinals of the Australian Open.

The 2018 ATP Finals champion has spent 14 hours on the court en route to the quarterfinals game and has only one day to rest before meeting Medvedev.

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