Zverev into a third AO semi final

2025 Australian Open - Men’s Singles Day 10 (1)

2025 Australian Open, first Grand Slam tournament of the year, on Hard Outdoor, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 12-26 January 2025.

Defending champion:

Jannik Sinner (4) who defeated Daniil Medvedev (3) 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6

Quarter final (1):

Tommy Paul (12) (USA) v Alexander Zverev (2) (Germany)

Tommy Paul had a 2-0’ head to head record coming into the quarter final with Zverev, but those matches were in 2020 and 2022.

Here is where it matters, and Zverev has been a two time AO semi finalist, including last year.

Tommy Paul is a two time qualifier finalist, including this year.

Can we sack the American commentators from the Australian Open coverage ?

The bias is so much more pronounced this year, and the Tommy Paul love affair is cringe worthy.

Still, Mr Paul began well, taking Zverev to deuce in the German opening service game.

No drama and serve held.

Despite a double fault, Tommy included an affective drop shot in a variety of shot making, to ease into the match at 1-1.

Tommy was taking the Zverev serve early, and it began to pay dividends in game five.

The quick returns forced enough errors to arrive at break point.

Saved but a warning delivered.

The pattern of the match had emerged, and it continued, with no threat to either player on serve.

Tommy held when serving to stay in the set at 4-5.

Zverev served at 5-5.

He was down 0-40 and saved two break points.

He couldn’t save a third and was broken.

Paul served for the set, and was at 40-30.

The set point disappeared when Tommy hit a backhand long.

Double fault and break back point.

Backhand netted and a break, forcing a tie break.

From 2-1 in the tie bresk, Zverev won five straight points to take the set 7-6(1).

Tommy used his disappointment to maintain a positive attitude in set two, and he broke Zverev in the second game.

Tommy saved two break points and held for 5-2

Serving for the set at 5-4, he was broken to love.

Zverev saved a set point before levelling at 5-5.

A tie break was required, and Zverev swept it to love, took the set, and led 7-6(1) 7-6(0).

Undeterred, Tommy broke in the first game of set three.

He held his own serve throughout, and broke Zverev again in game seven to lead 5-2.

Tommy Paul served out the set 6-2.

In set four, Tommy was broken in games two and four, and Zverev held in game five.

A 5-0 lead.

Serving to stay in the match, Tommy saved a match point before holding for 1-5.

Serving for the match, Zverev saw one match point disappear, and he had to save two break points.

The next match point was converted with an ace.

Alexander Zverev won 7-6(1) 7-6(0) 2-6 6-1 and made the 2025 AO semi finals.