Alexander Zverev progressed to the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2-6 6-1 defeat of Tommy Paul. (More Tennis News)
It was not exactly a routine win for Zverev, who required two ti🥀e-breaks and found himself 3-0 down in the second set.
However, after slipping up in the third set, the German – who lost to Daniil Medvedev in last year's semi-finals – displa𓄧yed his quality in a clinical fourth.
Having cli𝓀pped to a 7๊-0 win in the second-set tie-break, Zverev offered Paul hope with two poor service games in the third. Yet he responded brilliantly, thumping his way into a 5-0 lead.
A lashed passing shot teed up Zverev's first match poi𒁃nt, which 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist Paul brilliant𝓀ly clawed back by scampering to make a backhand.
An 🏅overhit backhand from Paul🐎 handed Zverev a second chance, only for the tables to be turned after a sloppy bit of net play and a deft drop shot from the American.
Paul squandered not one, but two break oppor♊tunities, though, and at the third tim꧋e of asking, Zverev sealed a three-hour, 28-minute win with a blistering ace.
Next up for Zverev will be the winner of Wednes✃day's titanic tussle between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Data Debrief: Another feather in the cap
Zverev was left furious after the 💝chair umpire called for a point he won to be replayed during the second set, due to a feather falling onto the court.
However, he overcame that frustration ꦺto push on into the last four at Melbourne Park for the third time.
Since Zverev reached his first major&nbs꧂p;semi-final at the 2020 Australian Open, only Novak Djokovic (13) has more such appea🥃rances than the 27-year-old (nine).
He has 🐼now registered his 30th win at the Australian Open, becoming the German with the most wins at the tournament during the Open Era.
