AO 2024 QF - (2.) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (6.) Alexander Zverev

[ACE of Hearts]

Zverev threw in a lot of first serves in those first two sets and carlitos couldn’t match him.

 

[Rosstour]

That wasn't such an outlandish prediction though. He had trashed Z at the USO and Z had played 2 five setters here.

I said this in another thread but playing 5 setters is good. It battle tests a player.

Alcaraz had things too easy and was getting brown-nosed by everyone. Zverev was the forgotten man of the tournament and was written off after every difficult match.

But Finals are difficult matches, unless you're Novak (or ancient Roger Federer lucking into Crying Cilic). So waltzing into the Final with no spilled blood is a recipe for disaster. Just ask my 18-1 2007 Patriots.

People were openly talking about how that team might have been jinxed by not losing. And they 100% were.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Great to see the hyped one exposed yet again, lol.

Everyone’s hyped. That hype has two slams . The only is who? Medvedev. Again just give novak the Aussie title right now.

 

[Rosstour]

Med has little chance since he is too tired ... you cant beat your own legs

Haven't you ever played your best when tired, fatigued, even injured?

 

[Dilexson]

fun match. especially the 2nd half. The way Carlos took that tiebreak was amazing.
Zverev conjured a break out of nowhere and somehow managed to serve it out.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I said this in another thread but playing 5 setters is good. It battle tests a player.

Alcaraz had things too easy and was getting brown-nosed by everyone. Zverev was the forgotten man of the tournament and was written off after every difficult match.

But Finals are difficult matches, unless you're Novak (or ancient Roger Federer lucking into Crying Cilic). So waltzing into the Final with no spilled blood is a recipe for disaster. Just ask my 18-1 2007 Patriots.

People were openly talking about how that team might have been jinxed by not losing. And they 100% were.

Zverev played high level those first two sets but Alcaraz couldn’t match him. Second set was different had a chance but couldn’t pulled it off. Frankly Alcaraz’s serve was junk.

 

[zvelf]

Carlos was dreadful for 2.5 sets, then absolutely on fire to claim the 3rd after going down a break. 4th set Alcaraz looked to have the momentum but couldn't secure a break. He came close on Zverev's serve at 3-4 but Zverev won some brilliant long rallies to hold. Alcaraz then made some errors serving at 4-4 to concede the break after an hour of flawless tennis. Zverev then held his nerve and served it out to win the 4th 6-4. From half way through the 3rd set match really came alive with high quality play.

This is a nice evaluation but doesn't give enough credit to Zed in the first 2 sets. Even though Zverev only hit 3 aces in those 2 sets, his serve was incredible and he only had 9 unforced errors total across those 2 sets.

Med won 9 of the last 11 though

It should be noted that 3 of those matches were against Zverev soon after returning from his RG injury and it took him a long time to play into form.

 

[NeutralFan]

Doesn’t matter. Guy was just coming off a 4 hour match and Alcaraz throws a stinker. That first set was a joke.

After this result i can literally see novak get close to 30 slams barring injury.

It does matter, even Novak struggled against Z+Med combo.

 

[Rosstour]

I didn’t like the hype about Carlos since SW19. He needed a humbling moment.

The Cincy final might have been more important than we thought at the time.

Cincy Final was huge. Novak took Carlos' soul like Rafa took Shapo AND medvedev's in 2022 AO or like Djoko did to TPas in RG21F.

Cosmically, Zverev might be in good shape. The soul-stealing Slam loss to Rafa at RG was tainted by injury. He may still have some belief left. Maybe the absurd self-confidence of chains and abs and "put myself in there" is what's needed to beat Djokovic. Because a bunch of guys having dinner/practicing with him or endorsing his drink line are not in a position to truly challenge him.

Zverev's withdrawal from the niceties of the tour and the isolation brought by the DV stuff may actually be the thing he needed to truly find his game. I'm reluctantly on Team Zod for the duration of this tournament

 

[Rosstour]

Zverev played high level those first two sets but Alcaraz couldn’t match him. Second set was different had a chance but couldn’t pulled it off. Frankly Alcaraz’s serve was junk.

Zverev has one of the best serves on tour and has for a long time. Second serve issues aside his serving metrics are truly elite. Guy is legit. It's like a Presidential primary...he isn't my first choice but he's the best chance to stop certain doom

 

[ACE of Hearts]

It does matter, even Novak struggled against Z+Med combo.

One win against novak in slams between those two guys and that was a novak running on fumes .

 

[Kralingen]

I’m going to bet on Medvedev now. That’s really the only course of action isn’t it?

 

[pirhaksar]

I called it before the match, my boy marches on with swag.

You sure did. I was spectacularly wrong as well. Kudos to Zed, when he is on, he can do serious damage, still recall the Tokyo Olympics hammering of Novak. Didn’t see this result coming at all, and after set 3 thought he would fade. Mad props to him. I honestly can’t tell who will win the semis now.

 

[pirhaksar]

Everyone’s hyped. That hype has two slams . The only is who? Medvedev. Again just give novak the Aussie title right now.

As we learnt just few hours back and 84% of TTW voted for Raz, matches have to be played and winner needs to earn it. Nothing is guaranteed.

 

[pirhaksar]

It does matter, even Novak struggled against Z+Med combo.

I agree Zed and Med back to back is no joke.

 

[Rosstour]

I’m going to bet on Medvedev now. That’s really the only course of action isn’t it?

I wouldn't. He's tired as hell and struggled against Hubie, whereas Z pretty much blew Carlos away. Z is a man possessed right now and looks like he has the Spear of Destiny. New hair, facing a lengthy suspension and public disgrace. All the fluff has been stripped away and what's left is hardened.

 

[bluetrain4]

Blowing out Alcaraz would be impressive in its own right, but I think I may be even more impressed by Zverev's near-blowout, hiccup, and being able to persevere against a rejuvenated Alcaraz.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Blowing out Alcaraz would be impressive in its own right, but I think I may be even more impressed by Zverev's near-blowout, hiccup, and being able to persevere against a rejuvenated Alcaraz.

I would be more impressed if zverev won a big match against novak in a slam. Got a feeling it’s Z vs Novak final.

 

[Lingua Franca]

Yep. It really is hilarious. Whoever loses is suddenly mug even though one is an ATG-in-the-making and the other is one of the best players of the last 7 years. A lot of people in this thread just have to eat crow.

Ah, crow... the national dish of TT Nation!

 

[sportsfan1]

Med's lopsided straight set loss to a s&v'ing novak in the '23 uso final was concerning. Meds position from back of the court was exploited and not sure what med can counter that with.

Z seems a better bet than med against Novak at this point, except for Zs serving issues. In fact it was Z that wore out Novak and set med up for the 21 uso title win.

Z likely loses to med though as he can't exploit meds back of the court position. Sinner loses to Novak but the odds of him being competitive are better if he can get the first set and gain confidence.

 

[Vincent-C]

ha hah ha hah ha hah ha hah

 

[Rosstour]

Blowing out Alcaraz would be impressive in its own right, but I think I may be even more impressed by Zverev's near-blowout, hiccup, and being able to persevere against a rejuvenated Alcaraz.

Agreed. When he lost the TB I was like "ah sht, here we go again"

I would be more impressed if zverev won a big match against novak in a slam. Got a feeling it’s Z vs Novak final.

Here's to hoping

 

[flyingboris]

Yes, Alcaraz is still like a little kid. A bit more maturity needed, maybe he might even have to change his coach

Speaking of which, where was Ferrero? Didn't see him in the box.

Edit: found it, recovering from surgery apparently.

Carlos Alcaraz to compete in 2024 Australian Open without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero: Report

Carlos Alcaraz will reportedly be without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero for the upcoming Australian Open.

www.hindustantimes.com

 

[Red Rick]

Today solidified the Wimbledon loss as a total choke by Djokovic

 

[BeatlesFan]

Some serious questions now for Alcaraz. Bad loss.

He's only 20! A bad loss is Rafa losing to Stan at the AO final or 2019 Wimbledon for Roger. This is a QF of a slam, not a final, and he was never even close to winning it. Carlos will probably win the AO multiple times in his career.

But any time Zedrot wins, it's definitely bad, I agree on that.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I religiously believe in matchups. You can be the no.1 player in the world, but there is always one guy who’s got your number.

Usually true except in the case of Sampras. Nobody ever had his number.

 

[Nostradamus]

No, and they definitely sped up the AO after 2009.

Yes exactly, sped up court is what alcarez is having problem with

 

[Sentinel]

Is he cheering for Zverev or Alcarez?

He thinks Zverev is Russian, so cheering for Sasha.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

He's only 20! A bad loss is Rafa losing to Stan at the AO final or 2019 Wimbledon for Roger. This is a QF of a slam, not a final, and he was never even close to winning it. Carlos will probably win the AO multiple times in his career.

But any time Zedrot wins, it's definitely bad, I agree on that.

He needs to redefine his game especially the serve. Always said the serve could be much better .

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

"My name is miracle" was probably the jinx

Maybe @Hitman was partially right and we should stop sucking off Djoko 100% of the time because there are other good players out there?

I don't see any

 

[pirhaksar]

Raz said in his presser that Zverev right now can beat Novak. That’s high praise, maybe this is Zed’s time!!

 

[Vincent-C]

.

 

[pirhaksar]

Today solidified the Wimbledon loss as a total choke by Djokovic

Or Raz refused to buckle and earned the win

 

[Rosstour]

Usually true except in the case of Sampras. Nobody ever had his number.

Except the Coupe des Mousquetaires

 

[Vincent-C]

Except the Coupe des Mousquetaires

 

[socallefty]

I didn’t watch the match. Apart from Zverev having a first serve % of 85%, how did he beat Alcaraz tactically? How did he manage to break his serve so many times? Any game analysis?

 

[paolo2143]

It is weird but i suspect that if Sinner beats Novak playing fantastic, even though that should put fear into Med and Zverev, i think both will be delighted as they would fancy their chances more against Janik in the final.

I am not sure who Novak would rather play in final but i have sneaky feeling Sinner may prefer Danni.

 

[Krish872007]

Raz said in his presser that Zverev right now can beat Novak. That’s high praise, maybe this is Zed’s time!!

If we transport the version of Zedzilla with 90% first serve percentage and solid shot tolerance from today, then sure

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Just give novak the title right now. What a huge disappointment from Alcaraz. Didn’t watch the match woke up and saw the result. Novak really has a chance at getting near 30 slams.

He has 2 tough matches to win. Sinner is in the form of his life. One match at a time.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I’m going to bet on Medvedev now. That’s really the only course of action isn’t it?

You predicting Meddy-Sinner final buddy?

 

[abmk]

If we transport the version of Zedzilla with 90% first serve percentage and solid shot tolerance from today, then sure

except there's like 3% chance of that happening in a slam final.
Bo3? sure. we already have YEC 2018 final b/w Zverev and Djokovic as ample proof.

 

[Krish872007]

except there's like 3% chance of that happening in a slam final.
Bo3? sure. we already have YEC 2018 final b/w Zverev and Djokovic as ample proof.

Yeah that's my sense too - there is nothing to suggest he can do it against Djokovic in an AO Final when he couldn't do it against a CRAPPY novice Thiem in the US.

 

[tennis24x7]

I said this in another thread but playing 5 setters is good. It battle tests a player.

Alcaraz had things too easy and was getting brown-nosed by everyone. Zverev was the forgotten man of the tournament and was written off after every difficult match.

But Finals are difficult matches, unless you're Novak (or ancient Roger Federer lucking into Crying Cilic). So waltzing into the Final with no spilled blood is a recipe for disaster. Just ask my 18-1 2007 Patriots.

People were openly talking about how that team might have been jinxed by not losing. And they 100% were.

100% on the Patriots, the same happened to the Indian Cricket team in this World cup.

 

[tudwell]

Just perusing the stats on the AusOpen site: In the three sets Zverev won, he played just 8 second serve points. Landed 63 of 71 first serves. That's absolutely nuts.

 

[doodlyd]

Haven't you ever played your best when tired, fatigued, even injured?

It may be the case during the match at the end... but not when you start the match feeling like sht ...
and i never played at slams let alone with several 4 hours matches ==))

 

[ALCARAZWON]

Did Zverev really win this?

 

[Pheasant]

It's a major bummer that Zed made it through. A lot of the suspense for the final went away when Alcaraz was eliminated. The semi between Sinner and Djoker is intriguing. I think that the whole world wants to see how Sinner will do in his very first hard court slam semi. People forget that Sinner pushed Alcaraz to 5 tough sets in the QF of the 2022 USO. Sinner has improved a ton since then. Of course, he has the ultimate challenge on hard courts coming up in a couple of days.

I'm rooting for Sinner to win it all. But if he doesn't win, then I'll root for Djoker to bag #25 so that he can end this talk about Court.

 

[Red Rick]

I didn’t watch the match. Apart from Zverev having a first serve % of 85%, how did he beat Alcaraz tactically? How did he manage to break his serve so many times? Any game analysis?

Just copy paste all Alcaraz' meltdowns. Gets kinda dominated on backhand side, and under consistent pressure his forehand, dubbed the greatest shot of all time by Wilander, completely unravels

 

[Mxnh]

Did Zverev really win this?

Yes.
Zverev absolutely demolished Alcaraz.

 

[Vincent-C]

Yes.
Zverev absolutely demolished Alcaraz.

Zverev now leads their HC h2h 4-1, I believe.

nice