Alexander Zverev knocks over Tommy Paul to return to Australian Open semis
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Alexander Zverev has survived an extraordinary meltdown to sink Tommy Paul in four sets and charge into the Australian Open semi-finals. Second-seeded Zverev, chasing an elusive grand slam title, was almost knocked down by, of all things, a feather before he steadied to prevail 7-6 (1), 7-6 (0), 2-6, 6-1. Zverev will next face either world No 3 Carlos Alcaraz or 10-time champion Novak Djokovic, who play on Tuesday night, in his third Melbourne Park semi-final.
![[Alexander Zverev picks up a feather]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/1001eb2749a89ca432751f12b449ba495964fdcf/0_0_5000_3327/master/5000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“To be honest, I should have been down two sets to love, he served (for) both of those sets. He played better than me,” Zverev said. “I was not playing great and I thought he was. “I somehow won the first set, somehow won the second set, [then] I’m up two sets to love all of a sudden and I only need one more set. The fourth set was definitely the best that I’ve played and I’m obviously extremely happy to be back in the semi-finals.”.
Tennis’ biggest unfulfilled talent, with two grand slam final losses to his name, Zverev won the first set in a tiebreak, fighting back after Paul served for the set at 6-5. But with a serving Paul leading the second set 4-2, Zverev had his feathers ruffled – then almost imploded.
On break point, the German was incensed at the chair umpire after someone in the crowd yelled out just as he was about to swing at a ball close to the line – making him believe it had been called out. No action was taken. The 27-year-old then dropped the following point and received a code violation for an audible obscenity.
