Alexander Zverev’s Dramatic Performance at the Halle Open
Alexander Zverev’s bid for his inaugural title on grass took a dramatic twist during the Halle Open on Friday. The German player, who was seeded second, had to dash off the court to be sick mid-match, but remarkably returned to secure a win against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli with a score of 6-4, 7-6 (8).
The Match: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
The match began on a strong note for Zverev as he broke Cobolli’s serve right away. However, while serving in the second game, he suddenly requested a brief break to vomit, sprinting off to the restroom. When he returned, it was evident that he was still struggling; his body language shown through as he frequently hunched over after rallies, trying to regain his breath following extended exchanges.
“I felt great before the match, but then it hit me out of nowhere,” Zverev recounted. “I felt sick, rushed to throw up, and after about 15 minutes, I was feeling okay again. I’ve never had an experience like that before, but luckily I was able to play well in the end.”
Despite not being at his peak performance level, Zverev managed to hold his serve, eventually registering his first ace at a critical moment as he closed in on the opening set. The second set showcased a fierce contest. Cobolli made Zverev work hard with his agility and movement, but the latter ultimately prevailed in a tense tiebreak.
Ahead to Semifinals: Zverev vs. Medvedev
Zverev concluded the match with an impressive 22 winners and 12 points accrued at the net. He is set to face Daniil Medvedev, the third seed from Russia, in the semifinals. Medvedev leads their head-to-head encounters with a 12-7 record and has emerged victorious in their last three meetings.
“I think he is my most frequently encountered opponent in my career, so I’m eager for the challenge,” Zverev expressed. “We’ve both had a lot happen in the last year and a half. He is certainly one of my toughest challengers, making this matchup particularly exciting.”
Medvedev secured his position in the semifinals after defeating American Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-3, even amidst a nosebleed that required a medical timeout during the second set. Despite this, he efficiently served throughout the match, not giving Michelsen any chance to break his serve, and wrapped up the contest in 85 minutes without dropping a set. Medvedev did, however, mention challenges posed by the court’s shadows, saying:
“The shadows created quite a tricky situation on the court, but I adapted better during the second set.”
With this win, he will return to the top 10 rankings ahead of Wimbledon.
Other Semifinalists
In the other semifinal, reigning champion Alexander Bublik will take on eighth seed Karen Khachanov. Bublik earned his spot by defeating last year’s champion Jannik Sinner in the prior round, while Khachanov dispatched Tomas Martin Etcheverry with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2.
Bublik showcased his skills in a prior match, hitting 37 winners during a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Tomas Machac, which dazzled the audience as he executed precise, stylish shots, including a remarkable backhand down the line to seal the win. Bublik stated confidently:
“I served and returned well, and I’m pleased that I managed to conserve some energy during the match.”
