MELBOURNE, January 29, 2020
Alexander Zverev has become the seventh German man in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals at a Grand Slam, and the first since Tommy Haas at 2009 Wimbledon. The 22-year-old from Hamburg fought past No. 15 seed and three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in Wednesday’s quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Rod Laver Arena.
Zverev sent down 13 aces and won 80 per cent of his first-service serves to prevail after two hours and 19 minutes. After losing three consecutive matches to begin the season, the No. 7 seed has found form in Melbourne and only dropped his first set here this year.
German male players reaching the semi final at Grand Slam tournaments in open era:
Boris Becker: 18
Michael Stich: 6
Tommy Haas: 4
Rainer Schüttler: 2
Nicolas Kiefer: 1
Karl Meiler: 1
Alexander Zverev: 1#AusOpen— Christian Albrecht Barschel (@AlbiBarschel) January 29, 2020
“You guys cannot imagine what this means to me,” Zverev said afterwards. He also provided an update on his bushfire relief pledge to donate every single cent of his prize money if he becomes the champion of the 2020 Australian Open.
“Easy to say in the first round right?” Zverev said during his post-match interview with John McEnroe. “Yes, it’s still true. I made the people of Australia a promise, and I will keep that promise if it happens”
Zverev awaits the winner of the encounter between World No. 1 Rafael Nadal of Spain and No. 5 seed Dominic Thiem from Austria.
