New York (AFP)
Alexander Zverev cracked: already pushed physically in the first three rounds, the world N.6 was eliminated Monday in the round of 16 of the US Open 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 by the Argentine Diego Schwartzman (21st) who can glimpse a quarter against Rafael Nadal.
The German had fought 3:10 to dismiss Radu Albot in the first round, then again 3:09 to overcome Frances Tiafoe the 2nd and also 3h36 to beat Aljaz Bedene (80th) in the 3rd. The fight against Schwartzman still lasted 3:08.
"Alex had problems with his service and I'm a good turnaround so I was able to take my chances," said Schwartzman.
The match was marked by an incident when Zverev received a penalty point for interaction with his box that gave the game 5-2 to Schwartzman in the 4th inning. The German assured the referee that he had not heard the first warning: "You could tell me clearly, even he (Schwartzman) did not hear it," Zverev said. confirmed to the Argentine judge. But nothing worked.
Zverev played two quarter-finals at Roland Garros in the last two years, but his best result so far at the US Open was a third round last year.
Schwartzman, he reached the quarterfinals at Flusing Meadows for the 2nd time after 2017. He also reached this stage at Roland Garros in 2018. This remains to this day his best result in Grand Slam.
"I do not know what's going on but I feel at home, the audience helped me a lot on important moments," he said. He could have next opponent Nadal who faces in 8th 2014 winner Marin Cilic.
© 2019 AFP