Alexander Zverev dropped his first set of Australian Open 2025 on Sunday, but didn’t let the disappointment linger as he topped Ugo Humbert on a sweltering Melbourne evening.
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In downing the French lefty 6-1 2-6 6-3 6-2 at John Cain Arena, Zverev earned a fourth quarterfinal at the Australian Open to tie the German men’s record of Boris Becker.
The second seed, however, holds ambitions to go all the way at Melbourne Park and lift a maiden Grand Slam trophy.
His next challenger is AO 2023 semifinalist Tommy Paul of the US – who holds a 2-0 record against him.
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“I gotta play my best, play the way I’ve played the first week, hopefully a little better,” said the two-time Grand Slam finalist afterwards.
Zverev only conceded four games against Humbert when they met in the final of the Paris Masters in November, though the home favourite expended ample energy simply to make the final.
The No. 14 seed came in to Sunday’s match fresher, although a confident-looking Zverev dictated behind his serve in the opener and mixed aggression with counter-punching from the baseline.
After Humbert clung to serve early in the second, things changed. Zverev was broken and dropped the set before an almost identical scenario played out in set three.
This time, Zverev was the one who had to withstand early pressure in his first service game, down 0-30.
A net cord that fell in his favour while serving at 3-3, 15-30 seemed to loom large, too. Zverev held and took control by breaking immediately.
Humbert sagged, relinquishing serve at 1-1 in the fourth and saw Zverev produce a fine first serve to fend off a break point at 3-2.
Zverev let out his loudest roar after crushing a backhand return winner off Humbert’s serve out wide to earn a double break – and realistically put the match to bed.
“I’m extremely happy to be in the quarterfinals and only losing one set,” said Zverev, who dealt with a bicep injury at the United Cup. “The set I lost my opponent played incredible, and I didn’t have a lot of chances of winning it.
“A week ago I was very unsure of my level and tennis. Couldn’t really play that many points in practice, couldn’t really prepare the way I wanted to.
“That’s why I’m even more happy to be in the quarterfinals, but I definitely want to play three more matches here.”
Paul encountered no such difficulties earlier in the day at Margaret Court Arena, needing an hour and 27 minutes to dispatch a jaded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-1 6-1.
Davidovich Fokina entered having won back-to-back five-setters from two sets down, something Paul was well aware of.
“He obviously had some long matches. I knew that going in. I wanted to try and play longer points. He didn't really let that happen in the first set,” said Paul, who claimed the opening set in 22 minutes. “He wanted quick sets.
“When you're playing one of those guys, it's always tough because you don't know at any point (if) he can turn it on, and the match could be completely different.
“Those are the matches you really got to lock in the whole time.”
Paul did just that.
If Sunday’s contest against the Spaniard didn’t present the 27-year-old with too many difficulties, the all-rounder is reaping the rewards of hanging tough in the first round against Sydney’s Chris O’Connell.
Paul prevailed in a physical four-hour contest, overcoming an apparent shoulder injury in the process.
Since then, he altered his daily routines.
“This week I did something a little different where I haven't practised on the days in between my matches at all,” said Paul. “Like I haven't even stepped on the court just 'cause I started with a five-setter, and my body was a little tired. Every match has gotten a little shorter since then.
“My body feels great right now. Especially after the match today, it was a pretty short one.”
Even if Paul exits against Zverev, he is looking good to make his top-10 debut when the next rankings are released.