Alexander Zverev reached his 18th Masters semi-final in Rome on Wednesday but only after a worrying fall which sparked memories of the horror injury he suffered at the French Open two years ago.
The world number five from Germany defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 to set up a last-four duel with Alejandro Tabilo, the Chilean journeyman who had stunned Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament. Zverev’s moment of concern came in just the third game on centre court at the Foro Italico when he fell on the clay and landed on his front.
The 2017 champion cut his left wrist and a finger in the tumble and required treatment from the tournament physio before he continued the match.
Zverev, 27, suffered a serious ankle injury at the 2022 French Open after falling on the clay of Roland Garros during his semi-final against Rafael Nadal and missed the rest of the season.
On Wednesday, however, he was able to dust himself down to defeat Fritz in 90 minutes, firing 20 winners with six aces and not facing a single break point.
“Taylor has been one of the best players on clay this year. To have a win like that is great for me, especially after the fall,” Zverev said.
“I still have a little bit of pain, so once the adrenaline settles I’m going to check out tomorrow what it is. —AFP
