Alexander Zverev was delighted after he bested Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Roland Garros on Wednesday. The German went past the Argentine by 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to advance to the semis of French Open 2023.
Both players played aggressively from the baseline and smashed their forehands. However, Zverev took the early advantage after winning the opening set.
But Etcheverry made a solid comeback in the second set as he impressed with his ball-striking. However, the German kept his nerves to wrap up the match in three hours and 22 minutes and four sets.
“The conditions during the day are a lot better for me,” Zverev said. “The ball is a lot faster and bounces higher. I love to play on clay and day conditions are better… I am in the semi-finals at Roland Garros and I am happy about that.
“The 5-4 game [in the fourth set] was incredible from both of us. He was hitting the ball extremely hard and I was hitting the ball extremely hard. At the end of the day, I think I deserved to win.”
Zverev showered praise on Tomas Martin Etcheverry and feels the Argentine could soon be in the top 10 if he continues to play in a similar fashion. The German likened Etcheverry to former Argentine Juan Martin del Porto.
“He is playing incredible tennis,” Zverev said when asked about Etcheverry. “He reminds me a lot of [Juan Martin] del Potro. The way he plays and the way he hits his forehand. He is an incredible player. I think if he continues to play like this he will be in the quarter-finals here a lot more and he can be Top 10 and win big tournaments. He proved it this week and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Meanwhile, Zverev suffered a horrific ankle injury in the semifinals of the 2022 Roland Garros while playing against Rafael Nadal. The 26-year-old from Hamburg admitted it was a difficult phase of his life.
“It was the most difficult year of my life,” Zverev said when reflecting on the past year. “I love tennis with all my heart and the competitiveness that was taken away a year ago. I am so happy to be back at this stage.”
Zverev will take on the previous edition’s runners-up Casper Ruud in the semifinals.
