Alexander Zverev Advances to Wimbledon Q-Final After Marathon Match, Seeks Earlier Starts
German tennis star Alexander Zverev has advanced to his first Wimbledon quarter-final after edging out Czech player Jiri Lehecka in a match that was spread over two days. Zverev won the initial sets 6-4 and 7-5 before their encounter on Monday was halted at 3-3 due to the 11pm local curfew.
The lengthy delay saw Zverev only start playing Centre Court after 8pm, following multiple matches that pushed back his start time. Despite starting late and facing a three-set deficit from Lehecka on Tuesday, the German managed to secure the fourth set 7-6 (6) and clinch victory to reach the last eight.
Zverev said, 'Yeah, who would have thought it would have only taken me 12 years to get there!' But secretly, the match was mentally challenging. He admitted it was difficult not having time to breathe or prepare for the next match after playing back-to-back days in best-of-five sets. 'Playing every day is not easy but I am very happy to be on this wonderful court,' said Zverev.
Zverev’s Journey to Wimbledon Success
After losing all three of his last-16 matches at Wimbledon over the years, Zverev finally broke through. With a 10-5 losing head-to-head against Taylor Fritz and an unblemished record in Grand Slam events, this is a significant milestone for the German star. He’ll face off against familiar foe Taylor Fritz next.
Call for Earlier Centre Court Starts
Calls are growing for Wimbledon to start their matches earlier on Centre Court and No 1 to avoid situations like Zverev's marathon match that left him seething on the court. Zverev echoed these sentiments, adding mental challenges outweighed physical ones in playing over three days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Zverev’s match against Lehecka take two days?
The match was paused at 3-3 due to the 11pm local curfew, meaning Zverev had to delay his start to Centre Court until after 8pm.
What is Zverev’s head-to-head record against Taylor Fritz?
Zverev has a losing head-to-head of 10-5 against Taylor Fritz and an unblemished record in Grand Slam events, making this upcoming match significant for both players.