ATP: Exhausted Zverev misses German semi-final in Vienna

Alexander Zverev was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Vienna: German number one was defeated by the winner of 2011, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6:7 (6) and 2:6. Tsonga will meet Philipp Kohlschreiber in the semi-finals on Saturday.

By Jens Huiber from Vienna

A lapidary backhand pass-ball that flew out a few centimetres – not only did Jo-Wilfried Tsonga get his first set ball in the last quarter-finals of the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Vienna, but also the spectators from their seats. The previous rally was preceded by a rally in which Alexander Zverev showed all that distinguishes the Germans: incredible defensive skills paired with great fighting spirit. Three points later, however, Tsonga scored his second chance after a courageous net attack – after the German number one had quickly led 3-0 in the beginning.

Zverev had a very busy year in 2017, with Tsonga’s 73rd out-of-home game against him in front of a sold-out crowd. of the season. And after Vienna, there will be no end at all: The native of Hamburg will play the last ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year in Paris-Bércy next week, followed by the crowning season finale in London. Last year, Zverev had already finished his campaign at the same time.

The tournament’s favourite also beat Tsonga in the second set against Tsonga with a break, the Frenchman, who still has an underdog’s chances of reaching a place in the field of the season’s finals, immediately beat him back. Also because Zverev obviously still had the will to advance into the final round, but his body had other ideas. Tsonga was more and more involved in sliceball, also from the forehand side, Zverev rarely managed to develop pressure from the baseline.

In the afternoon, Zverev had only briefly entered the #NextGen Court, under the supervision of his father Alexander Senior. In the fourth game,”Sascha” fought off two break points and, thanks to his serve, was able to equalise. A few minutes later, Tsonga was more successful and went 4-2. And he didn’t want to lose his head start. After 92 minutes, the experienced player was able to celebrate his entry into the final round.

In the semi-finals, Philipp Kohlschreiber is a man who could make the Austrian double this year – after all, Germany’s longstanding number one player won the summer in Kitzbühel. In internal comparison with Kohlschreiber, Tsonga leads with 10-1 victories. Most recently, the two had met in Vienna a year ago – Tsonga had won in two sets.

Here the single tableau in Vienna