Defending champion Alexander Zverev has won his 13th consecutive match on the tour after outlasting Marin Cilic 7-6(11), 6-4, in the semifinals of the Italian Open.
The second seed was tested both mentally and physically during a roller coaster clash at the Foro Italico. Being forced to wait for more than an hour and 40 minutes into the match before securing his first break against the Croat. Despite the tense encounter, Zverev managed to prevail with the help of 21 winners alongside 29 unforced errors. Winning just six more points (84-78) than Cilic in total.
“Marin is such a great player that you have to play your best to even have a chance. That is what I did today.” Zverev said during his on-court interview. “I’m just very happy. Especially with that first set. It wasn’t easy to get that win. Then in the second set to come back from a break down was amazing.”
Cilic’s resilience in the match was one that frustrated the world No.3. Throughout the first set, Zverev had numerous chances to grab a lead, but was denied the opportunity. At 5-5 he held a 40-0 advantage against the Cilic serve, but failed to convert a trio of break points. Prompting the animated German to smash his racket out of anger as the proceedings went into a marathon 24-minute tiebreaker.
The tiebreak saw both players at their best and worst with a series of winners and unforced errors. At first it appeared that Zverev would race through it after opening up a 4-0 lead. Then former US Open champion Cilic managed to fight back to level after benefitting from a few mistakes from his rival. From then on there was little disparity between the two as chances came and went for both with Cilic failing to convert five set points. Meanwhile at 9-8 Zverev lost his cool on the court after the umpire called for a point to be replayed when he had an advantage during the rally.
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Despite the tense clash, Zverev once again managed to find a way to come out on top. Fighting to a 14-13 lead, he then secured the opening set after a forehand shot from his opponent smashed into the net.
It the tiebreaker wasn’t dramatic enough, injury fears struck the camp of the German player. Zverev underwent a medical time out after complaining of feeling ‘sharp pain’ in the area of his right shoulder. Requiring the trainer to work on the area. Although the issue had little impact on Zverev’s movement around the court.
The chances of a Cilic comeback appeared to be on the cards as he broke immediately at the start of the second set, but once again failed to continue the momentum. Enabling a resurgent Zverev to eventually break back seven games later to level 4-4. Continuing to pounce, the German battled to his first match point against a wary Cilic. Failing to convert his first, he triumphed on his second after hitting a backhand passing shot.
Following his latest win, Zverev is the first player on the tour to win 30 matches this season. He managed to achieve the milestone after recently winning back-to-back titles in Munich and Madrid. He will be bidding for win No.31 on Sunday when he faces top seed Rafael Nadal in the Rome final.
“Obviously I’m a little bit tired.” Zverev admits.
“I’ll try to do my best. Rafa is an unbelievably player, especially on this surface. He is also in really good form. I have to play my best to even have a chance. Hopefully that’s what I will be able to do.”
Zverev, who is the defending champion in Rome, trails Nadal 0-4 in their head-to-head.
