After Alexander Zverev outlasted Cameron Norrie in a fifth-set tiebreaker on Monday night at the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz and Miomir Kecmanovic were still battling for a quarterfinal spot alongside the German.
Zverev was asked about his two potential opponents.
“I’m obviously Kecmanovic’s No. 1 fan right now,” he joked.
Unfortunately for Zverev, Kecmanovic did not come through–not even close. Alcaraz destroyed the 60th-ranked Serb 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 to set up a Wednesday showdown against a familiar foe.
Of course, things might not be so bad for Zverev even though Kecmanovic won’t be on the side of the net. He actually leads the head-to-head series with Alcaraz 4-3. They faced each other twice last season on hard courts, first when Alcaraz took advantage of a fatigued opponent to cruise 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. However, Zverev avenged that defeat by beating the Spaniard 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4 at the Nitto ATP Finals.
When Zverev lost to Alcaraz in New York, he was coming off a four-hour and 41-minute thriller against Jannik Sinner two days earlier–a marathon that ended at 1:39 in the morning. Although the 26-year-old doesn’t have anything quite like that in his legs this time around, fatigue could once again be a factor. He has played two fifth-set tiebreakers in Melbourne, withstanding Slovakian qualifier Lukas Klein 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(10-7) in the second round before getting the best of Norrie 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(10-3) in the fourth round. Those two matches lasted a combined eight hours and 36 minutes.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, has mostly rolled. The 20-year-old was pushed to a fourth-set tiebreaker by Lorenzo Sonego in round two but followed that up with straight-set victories over Jerry Shang (via third-set retirement) and Kecmanovic. Alcaraz has been on the court for just two hours and 55 minutes over the last two rounds.
“If you play less you are fresher, but I feel okay,” Zverev said after triumphing over Norrie. “I’m not like (I was at the) U.S. Open, where I was completely dead and where I felt like I’m physically exhausted. I’m tired, for sure, because I played 7-6 in the fifth set again two times out of the last three matches. But I’m not dead. I’m not completely exhausted. I’m not in the same physical state I was in the U.S. Open.
“I expect it to be very different, to be honest.”
And it probably will be. Aside from when he is physically compromised, Zverev likes this matchup. Alcaraz can’t play as much non-stop offense as he can, for example, against Kecmanovic or other counter-punchers. As such, another entertaining contest should be in the cards. But as long as Alcaraz doesn’t get blown off the court quickly–and that’s unlikely–then he will probably have the upper hand in a long, physical struggle.
Pick: Alcaraz in 5
WWW?
I never thought Zverev would win this match.
Think Alcaraz wins in 3 or 4 sets.
Yeah, I don’t think this goes to 5. There’s a chance it could, but most likely, it’s over in 4. The last 5-setter was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back for Zverev, compounded by all the tennis that he played prior to the event.
That tennis prior to the event was finished 9 days before he played his 1st match, so it’s totally not relevant anymore.
You’re underestimating the cumulative effect of tennis on the body. It actually takes a long time to recover from high-intensity tennis. I’d say it probably takes a minimum of 14 days to recover with good nutrition and rest from the level and amount of tennis he played prior to the Australian Open. I reckon Zverev is close to running on fumes, and his unforced error count will start creeping up as a result.
14 days, are you insane, it doesn’t take 14 days to recover from a match.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and each player is different.
Imo, it takes at least 14 days to recover to be in psr with someone thst played no lead in matches.
It could even take months.
Add I said, Zverev is probably uniquely positioned out of the main chances to handle it. The rest are gone.
And they aren’t just gone, their fading in their final match was undeniable.
You’re underestimating the cumulative effect of tennis on the body. It actually takes a long time to recover from high-intensity tennis. I’d say it probably takes a minimum of 14 days to recover with good nutrition and rest from the level and amount of tennis he played prior to the Australian Open. I reckon Zverev is close to running on fumes, and his unforced error count will start creeping up as a result.
That tennis prior to the event was finished 9 days he played his 1st match, so it’s not relevant anymore.
Alcaraz in 4. Zverev needs to hit his forehand twice as good as he has so far to stand a realistic chance here. Alcaraz’s forehand has now become one of the most destructive weapons in tennis.
Zverev has the game to beat Alcaraz here but he needs to clean up his mind, body and soul. When Zverev is at his best he can beat anyone!!!! The best match I’ve ever seen him play is against Alcaraz at FO that year when he got injured playing Rafa. If he brings this game today I have NO doubt he will beat Alcaraz. But he is not at that level, especially mental wise, his focus is off and these dfs will be his complete and utter downfall!
Mona why are you such a fan of Zverev?!
I know you named your dog after Carlos so this is surprising!!😀
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Amy u remember that?!!!!I It”s my cat actually and the name suits him indeed!! 😜
The thing is Amy I liked Zverev when he first came on tour so I do have a bit of a soft spot for him. I am hoping for a great match and may the best man win. Alcaraz has improved from the previous rounds so he can be relied upon. With Rafa not being there, I just haven’t found anyone I wish to root for 🤪😩
Sorry Mona!!! 😀 Apologies to your cat!!
I knew deep down you had become a Carlos fan when you revealed this!!😀
Zverev played about his best ever tennis at that RG. He hasn’t got back to that level since his injury from what I have seen while Carlos has improved.
Just my opinion!!!!
I agree with what u say, but on paper it should be a fantastic match!!
May not be Mona! May be a bit of a damp squib. Hope not!
Carlos in 4.
From what I’m seeing, it will have to be Carlos in 5!!!!
Like I said before, Zverev has the game to beat Carlos, the only thing stopping Zverev from winning here today is that thing between his ears, oh and yeah, the dfs!
You were right Mona!! He is trouncing Carlos
Alcaraz playing pretty awful
I have never seen Carlos implode like this………it shows that he does not have the belief which is unbelievable! That beating at FO is in his head but in any event, Zverev is playing superb only to have to play Meddy if he wins……….and as I type this his first df, sigh!!
Alcaraz off his game. Zverev’s serve and bh a deadly combination
He looks like he did when he beat Novak at wtf.
Yikes! Carlos in deep doggy doos.
Getting broken while serving for the match is so Zverev!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that’s the thing between the ears I was talking about!!! That’s y these guys won’t beat Novak, u just HAVE to close!!!!!
He is coming forward too much!
Gosh Alcaraz irritates me. Always has done always will do.
Imagine u serve for the match and now ure in a dog fight to win!!!! That’s the thing about Zverev…….all I had to do was close!!! Now this is five setter!!
The fact that he was pushed there could be the difference
He’s the right age to capitalise on the situation. He was dealt some adversity and had to come back which may have been what the doctor ordered.
I’ll be very surprised if Medvedev recovers after Hurkacz. That was gut buster.
Looks like Zverev is going to lose in 5 now! Lost momentum….
Can he serve for it this time?!!
Ricky should have stuck with his pre tournament pick of Zverev!
He wasn’t Ricky’s pick; he was my pick. I just had doubts after the United Cup due to the amount of tennis he played in the short backup. Not only that, he’s played two five-setters. Here’s the thing: at 27, he might be able to hkget away with it because they reckon that’s when you’re at your peak. Being a little bit younger or a little bit older might make it difficult—that’s how narrow the margins are in this game. At 27, maybe he can get away with it. A lot will come down to how he’s positioned relative to his opponent, so there a lot variables at play.
But I think he has an edge over Medvedev. If Medvedev recovers from that match I’ll be very surprised. But the amount of cumulative tennis theyve both played; it’s probably comparable.
“on the short backup”
Congrats to you for picking him!
But he was Ricky ‘s pick in his full tournament picks. He had him to beat Alcaraz in 5. I just checked…He changed his pick for this match.
I certainly didn’t see Zverev beating him either before the tournament or before this match…
Mona got it right as well!!
I’ll count it as correct!
yep!
Finally, Zverev did it!! I wish I was there to see him win as I had to leave for work, but I’m happy for him. Let’s hope he can back it up in the following rounds!!
Carlos is young…….he can win next year! I’m sure Novak would have preferred Carlos in the final 😀
Carlos hasnt been convincing for a while.
I quite enjoyed Carlos’s attitude. He was laughing and smiling during most of the 3rd and 4th set. Great entertainment. The crowd wanted to see pull off the big comeback and win the title.
He’ll be hard to beat during certain stages of the year. He’s just getting warmed up again.
He needs help improving his efficiency and shot selection otherwise he will get injured again
And agree with Amy on this , he’s irritating ,…eg his celebrations after every good shot…
Also like Meddy and Sinner but we have to disagree on Saba and Rafa…;)
Not every good point………..EVERY point, and it’s even more annoying when his opponent is playing with much calm. That’s what I enjoyed most about Zverev playing this match………..he used his energy and emotions wisely!!
I don’t like the constant celebrating at all! And his gesturing towards the crowd…
Dunno why it irritates me but it does…
Me too amy!..it irritates me like Trump did!😁
Me neither Amy bcoz until it’s a pivotal point, it wastes time and it’s just posturing if u ask me. He also admitted that, just like Monfils, he enjoys playing for the crowd………so there!!!
Rafa”s matches r always entertaining bcoz he comes up with some magical shots in order to win the point……..no showboating. I really missed him at AO!