A post-match press conference after reaching a fourth straight French Open semi-final would usually hold a celebratory vibe.
But a dark cloud continued to hover over Alexander Zverev after his 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 quarter-final defeat of Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
The contrasts between the pair’s reputations couldn’t be starker.
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De Minaur is a fan favourite at Roland-Garros, forming a wholesome friendship with a 14-year-old French super fan named Paul.
Zverev, meanwhile, is competing in Paris as a court proceeding continues in Germany, connected to accusations of physical abuse by a former girlfriend.
The prosecution accuses Zverev of pushing his ex-partner against a wall and choking her during an argument in Berlin in 2020.
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Alexander Zverev of Germany talks during a press conference at Roland-Garros. Getty
Zverev, who has previously denied the allegations, said he never thought it was a possibility he wouldn’t be able to play because of the court case.
“No, they made it very clear from the beginning that I don’t have to be there,” Zverev said after beating de Minaur.
“I think everything is going accordingly. Everything is going OK from my side and from my point of view. There’s nothing else to say.”
Leading tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg is dismayed that Zverev has been allowed to continue playing, calling it “deeply grim.”
Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has defended Zverev’s right to participate.
“As long as the trial isn’t finished and there isn’t a decision, he’s considered innocent and so that’s why he’s allowed to be part of the draw,” Mauresmo said.
De Minaur was gracious in defeat after letting a 4-0 lead in the second set tiebreak slip away.
“He just was so gallant in the way that he fought,” Casey Dellacqua said on Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily.
“He did try and take a lot of risks. He tried to be more aggressive. He tried to step into the court and be brave – I think that’s what he was trying to do. But he just came up against a better opponent who served really well and Zverev was the better player on the day…
“The ability for Zverev to walk up to the line and know he can pull out a big first serve has got to help. He’s able to finish off points a little bit quicker with that serve.”
Zverev extended his winning streak to 11 matches, including a title on clay at the Italian Open last month, and his victory moves him into a matchup against two time Roland-Garros runner-up Casper Ruud.
Zverev is trying to win his first grand slam title.
Alexander\u00a0Zverev\u00a0of Germany\u00a0looks on during his semi-final singles match against\u00a0Daniil\u00a0Medvedev\u00a0of Russia. Getty
“I’m happy to be in another semi-final. Hopefully, I can win one,” he said.
Victory could have been far more difficult than it was.
De Minaur was one point from tying things at a set apiece while Zverev served down 6-5 in the second.
But Zverev fought that off and in the ensuing tiebreaker, de Minaur pulled out to a 4-0 lead, before Zverev collected seven of the next eight points.
The third set appeared to shift Zverev’s way for good when de Minaur double faulted to get broken and fall behind 4-2.
When Zverev served for the victory at 5-3, however, de Minaur used a delicate drop volley to break and extend the match.
It wouldn’t last much longer, because Zverev broke right back to end it.
All in all, it was not a particularly clean match: they combined for more than twice as many unforced errors (101) as winners (48).
“Had my chances. Probably should have taken that second set,” de Minaur said after the end of his best run at the French Open.
“I left my heart out there. Did everything I could.”