WATCH: “I didn’t say that word!” Alexander Zverev gets into a heated argument with the chair umpire over an unfair warning

WATCH: “I didn’t say that word!” Alexander Zverev gets into a heated argument with the chair umpire over an unfair warning

Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal meet in the semifinals at the 2022 French Open for the 10th time. While Nadal is aiming for tennis glory, Zverev has a lot to prove too. If Nadal wins, he will reach his 30th grand slam final and a record 14th final at Roland Garros. Meanwhile, Zverev will be aiming to reach his second grand slam final and will fancy his chances to win his maiden major title.

A lot was expected from this match and with the closing of the roof minutes before the match, things got even more interesting. Nadal, who was the pre-match favorite, lost out on his advantage due to the adverse playing conditions. The closing of yeh roof benefitted Sascha and it was evident right from the start. He was quick to break Nadal upfront and looked in complete control of the proceedings.

But a lapse in concentration and a few unnecessary errors cost him dearly as Nadal broke back to level things up at 4-4. The highly intense set went into the tie-breaker as Nadal saved as many as 4 consecutive set points to win the first set 7-6(8).

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Although Zverev was wounded deeply by the first set, he didn’t lose focus and came back stronger in the second set. He was dictating a lot of points and was taking charge from the baseline. Both players struggled with serve but it was Sascha who managed to hold it and break Nadal to take a lead.

Also Read: WATCH: “Insane” Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev play a mammoth 44-shot rally at the French Open

Alexander Zverev gets in an ugly fight with the chair umpire

Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev

He served at 5-3 for the second set when a very weird incident happened. Zverev double-faulted on the first point and then yelled in frustration which according to the umpire, was a foul word. The umpire was quick to give Zverev a warning for audible obscenity but the German wasn’t happy with it. He went straight to the umpire to clarify his stand and started having a heated argument with him.

“I did not say that word,” Zverev yelled but all in vain. He eventually gave up and went back to focus on the match. To his dismay, he lost all his focus and hit 3 double faults in the game to bring back Nadal into the match.

Also Read: “I can’t listen to my mother” Holger Rune clarifies he did not scream at his mother during his defeat in the French Open quarter-finals

Also Read: WATCH: “Rafa doing Rafa things” Rafael Nadal hits possibly the ‘shot of the tournament’ to save a set point against Alexander Zverev