Alexander Zverev beats Carlos Alcaraz to reach Australian Open semis amid legal issues

In a surprise development at the Australian Open, German tennis star Alexander Zverev defeated defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz to reach his second semi-final in Melbourne.

No. 6 Zverev’s 6-1, 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-4 win over No. 2 Alcaraz came amid mounting legal issues for the 26-year-old and set him up for a semifinal with No. 3 Daniels. Medvedev, who advanced over No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz in five sets. Medvedev leads Zverev 11–7 all-time, including 5–3 on hardcourts.

“Look, I’m playing with one of the best players in the world, especially the last two years he’s been No. 1 or No. 2 consistently,” Zverev told Jim Courier on court. “He has won two Grand Slams.

“When you are 6-1, 6-3, 5-2, you start thinking. I mean, we’re all human and it’s a great honor to play against guys like him. Then when you are very close to winning, obviously your brain starts working and that is not always helpful. But I’m glad I reached the end. I fought very well in the fourth set, did not give up and I am very happy that I finished the match.

In news that emerged during the tournament, according to a report by The Athletic, Brenda Patia, the mother of Zverev’s daughter Myla, has accused German authorities that “Zverev pushed her against a wall and choked her during an argument in 2020.” Suppressed.” “Patia said she told her friends about the incident at the time but did not report it to the police until October 2021 due to shyness and concern for her daughter, who was born in March 2021.”

The Athletic further reported:

In October, a Berlin criminal court issued a fine order fining Zverev approximately $500,000 (£393,000) in relation to Patia’s allegations. In Germany, a prosecutor may seek a sentencing order on cases he considers simple because there is solid evidence that should not require a trial. The defendant has the right to contest the order, which Zverev has.

Speaking at the Paris Masters in November, Zverev described the penalty order as “complete bulls***”, adding, “Anyone who has a semi-standard IQ level knows what this is all about.” The player did not elaborate on the reasons for his objection. “To be honest, I won’t comment on it because there is still a process going on,” he said.

A tryout has been scheduled to coincide with the French Open at the end of May. Zverev is not required to attend the trial and last week said he did not know whether he would. His lawyers described the legal process as “reprehensible” and said Zverev would take action “using all possible means”. The player will be considered innocent until the final decision is made.

Another former girlfriend of Zverev, Ola Sharipova, also said Zverev repeatedly abused her in New York in 2019, Shanghai, Monaco and Geneva, He made his allegations to Slate, not to the authorities.

The ATP approved a 15-month independent investigation conducted by a third-party investigator, The Lake Forest Group (LFG). The ATP said the group “conducted extensive interviews with both Sharypova and Zverev, as well as 24 other individuals, including family and friends, tennis players and other parties associated with the ATP Tour.”

In January 2023, the ATP said: “No disciplinary action will be taken against Zverev by the ATP. However, this determination may be reevaluated if new evidence comes to light, or if violations of ATP rules are revealed in any legal proceedings. Zverev has consistently denied all allegations and supported the ATP’s investigation.

The German star has maintained his innocence throughout and has criticized the press for making an issue of his ongoing involvement in the ATP Tour and Player Council.

Amidst these entangled legal issues, other players have been reluctant to comment on Zverev’s situation, but former US Open champion American Sloane Stephens, who recently resigned from the WTA Player Council, said that on the women’s tour perhaps A similar situation will not exist.

“The ATP kind of beats its own drum,” Stephens told reporters in Melbourne. “They do what they do on that side.”

“It’s a tough situation,” Stephens said. “Very prominent figure in our game… I think he will now go to trial and face whatever he is facing (the issue can be put to rest).

The Courier did not ask Zverev about his legal troubles in an on-court interview, but broadcasters John and Patrick McEnroe and Chris Fowler discussed it during the match.

“It’s hard to imagine that he’s not distracted,” John McEnroe said on air.

Against Alcaraz, Zverev served for the match at 5–3 in the third set and was within two match points.

He later took a medical timeout to deal with a blister on his foot.

“Well, there’s a lot of blood under my toenails, so it’s quite painful,” Zverev said on the court. “And when you run a lot, they come back. So just had to re-tape it. The way I feel right now, maybe a little pain here and there and I would rather get to the semi-finals than stay at home and watch this tournament. So I’m like okay…and I’m ready to go.

A fresh Alcaraz turned the tables and won the tiebreak, combining baseline winners with clever drop shots. After looking overwhelmed in the first two sets, he was smiling in his box and playing aggressive tennis.

It looked like it might go to five sets but Zverev broke Alcaraz 5-4 in the fourth set.

Serving for the match at 5-4, 40-30, Zverev hit a service winner and then met Alcaraz at the net.

On this day, at least, Zverev was completely focused on his opponent and now in his second Australian Open semi-final with a chance for his first major title. His only appearance in a Grand Slam final came at the 2020 US Open where he lost to Dominic Thiem.

“(Medvedev) has been kicking my ass a lot in the last year or so, but maybe this will happen, I don’t know,” Zverev said. “Maybe this would be the place.

“I love playing in Australia. We as players always say that New York is the most energetic Slam, but for me the crowd in Australia is the best.