Izuchukwu OkosiAlexander Zverev put aside the disappointment of 2022 to steer himself into the quarterfinals of the 2023 Roland-Garros with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Argentine breakout star Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday evening.
The former world No.2 suffered a three-ligament tear in his right ankle last June during his finely poised semi-final against Rafael Nadal.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA year on and the 26-year-old dismissed Argentine breakout star Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to roar back into the final four for a third consecutive year.
World No.49 Etcheverry, who prior to this match was the only man left in the draw yet to drop a set, has similar qualities to his far more experienced opponent.
They both have heavy serves, dogged defence and good angles on their groundstrokes, and are more than happy to canvass the net. Who could bring the sharpest skillset?
The Argentine staved off break point in a bruising six-minute opening hold; these in-form athletes were settling in for the long haul.
Zverev’s backhand drop shot was purring and his rocket returns caused much of the damage as the German chalked up a 4-3 break lead.
The 2020 US Open runner-up was dragging Etcheverry from side to side with relentless groundstrokes, taking the opener with a smooth performance.
Etcheverry began to show the form that has conjured up a 17-8 record on clay this campaign, including final showings in Santiago and Houston. At 3-2 a couple of passing forehands enabled the 23-year-old to pull clear.
The unseeded Argentine was building momentum, but in stark contrast Zverev hit a routine smash long and untimely double faults gifted Etcheverry the chance to level.
The world No.49 broke to love to start the third set, his disguised forehand drop shot a highlight as he went up 2-0.
Zverev on returning to the semi-finals told the media after the game spoke of his doggedness and how he deserved the victory.
“The 5-4 game [fourth set] was incredible from both of us. He was hitting the ball extremely hard, I was hitting the ball extremely hard, so at the end of the day, I think, I hope I deserve to win. I’m just happy to be through.
A year on after horror injury, the tennis sensation said: “It was the most difficult year of my life.
“I love tennis with all my heart, I love the competitiveness and that was taken away exactly one year ago. I’m so happy to be back at this stage, I’m so happy to have the opportunity to play for a final at Roland-Garros again, so I can’t be happier.”
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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