In Djokovic’s absence, Zverev faces the challenge of the evening.

– In Djokovic’s absence, Zverev faces the challenge of the evening.

In the midst of his own third-round match at the US Open, Alexander Zverev saw Novak Djokovic’s surprise loss on the big screen and was momentarily distracted. “You could see it, it might have been a bit distracting knowing Djokovic was out of my half,” the 27-year-old said around 3 a.m., relaxing on a stationary bike after his grueling night shift.

Zverev defeated Argentine Tomás Martín Etcheverry 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-3, ending the match on match point at 2:35 a.m. local time, almost three hours after Djokovic’s tournament eliminations. Despite the early exits of Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev’s chances of winning his first title at a Grand Slam event have improved.

Zverev’s big milestone

“It’s a big name,” Zverev commented on Djokovic’s defeat, but also reminded: “I have to focus on myself, as we learned today. Anyone can play great tennis at a Grand Slam. I have to win my matches first.”

Eager to celebrate, Zverev celebrated his 100th Grand Slam victory, becoming the first player born after 2000 to reach that mark.

“It was incredibly nice to play. I’m just happy that I’m still here,” said Zverev in his winner’s interview in front of the few hundred spectators who stayed in the Louis Armstrong Stadium until late at night. “Thank you for staying so long. It’s a Friday night in New York. To be honest, if I had a free Friday night in New York, I’d rather be somewhere else.” Only one match in the history of the US Open lasts longer.

Zverev will now face American Brandon Nakashima in the round of 16. Nakashima defeated Italian Lorenzo Musetti in four sets, ending Zverev’s hopes of another Olympic gold medal in the quarterfinals in Paris.

Djokovic’s early exit

Positioned for a possible first Grand Slam title, Zverev could have met Djokovic as early as the semifinals, with Carlos Alcaraz as a potential finalist. Djokovic was eliminated in the third round by Australian Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, his earliest exit from the US Open since 2006.

“It was a miserable performance from me,” said the shocked 37-year-old Serb. “I played some of the worst tennis I’ve ever played and served terribly.” This was the first time since 2017 that the 24-time Grand Slam tournament champion failed to win at one of the four biggest tournaments this year.

Three weeks after his Olympic victory in Paris, Djokovic was far from showing the form that would have helped him defeat Alcaraz in the final. “I invested a lot of energy in winning the gold medal and I arrived in New York neither mentally nor physically fresh,” he admitted. World number 3 Alcaraz had also suffered a surprise second-round loss to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

Zverev’s late match

Zverev began his match at the Louis Armstrong Stadium at 10:51 p.m. local time. The official matches lasted so long that Zverev did not serve his first serve until shortly before 10 p.m. Zverev immediately challenged for a replay, mistakenly believing that the ball had not touched his side of the court twice.

The start was bumpy. A backhand error immediately led to a break. Many errors hampered Zverev’s game and led to a total of 23 unforced errors in the first set. “I guess Novak’s match was basically over at 5-5 in the first set, and then I lost two games straight,” Zverev said, laughing. “I’m glad I was able to stay calm.”

Fifteen minutes before a record

Zverev found his game again and narrowly won the second set. After a discussion with his brother Mischa during Etcheverry’s bathroom break, Zverev played more solidly. He repeated his success at the net, frequently breaking his opponents with his athletic physique, as he often does.

However, Etcheverry held firm, even after his grueling five-set battle in the second round. Two days earlier, he had even vomited on the court due to the extreme heat.

The fourth set became exciting again. At 2:03, Zverev saved three break points in a row. In the following game, Zverev took advantage of Etcheverry’s serve with a volley and finally secured the win. The match ended just 15 minutes after the latest finish in US Open history: in 2022, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in the quarterfinals at 2:45. “We were just unlucky that the other matches took so long,” said Zverev, choosing not to blame the organizers: “The tournament can’t control that.”

Despite watching Djokovic’s surprise loss on the big screen during his own matches, Zverev said, “-What? I still have to focus on myself.” After his victory, Zverev became the first player born after 2000 to reach 100 Grand Slam tournament victories, saying, “-What? I’m just glad I’m still here.”

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