On course for a medal: Musetti defeats Olympic champion Zverev

In the heat of Paris, Alexander Zverev's dream of winning Olympic gold again was shattered. The reason: an outstanding performance by Lorenzo Musetti.

August 01, 2024

From: fop/dpa

Exactly three years to the day after the coup in Tokyo, the best German tennis professional was defeated 5:7, 5:7 by the Italian Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals in midsummer temperatures. After 2 hours and 04 minutes, the 22-year-old Wimbledon semi-finalist converted his first match point and destroyed Zverev's hopes of triumphing at the Olympics for the second time.

The world number four appeared physically weakened in the heat. He had previously announced: "I want to win Paris, there's no question about that." But the French Open finalist did not reach the top form and composure that had distinguished him recently in Wimbledon until his knee injury - not least because Musetti put in an outstanding performance.

Alexander Zverev was struggling with the heat. © APA/afp / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

Zverev did not find his way into the match as hoped and – partly due to a double fault – lost his first service game to make it 0-1. At first he was unable to cope with the service of the world number 16 from Tuscany.

Zverev warned about Musetti

"He is a great player and he is in absolutely top form right now. I expect a very difficult match," Zverev predicted. The 22-year-old Musetti had just reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon.

“He is a great player” Alexander Zverev

Zverev's break deficit lasted until 4:5. When he was about to lose the set, he took advantage of one of Musetti's few careless moments to equalize. However, three avoidable errors promptly led to the next loss of serve. After 61 minutes, Zverev lost the first set - after a stop ball from the Italian, who surprised the German, who was positioned far behind the line, several times with short balls.

Lorenzo Musetti and Alexander Zverev after the duel. © APA/afp / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

When the score was 4:3 in the fiery Roland Garros, the organizers closed the roof of the hall to provide shade. However, it didn't help Zverev; Musetti continued to appear inspired, completely unimpressed by the high temperatures. At 5:5, Zverev had a weak phase on his own serve and allowed the Italian to make the decisive break.

Top favorite Swiatek fails

There will be a surprise winner in tennis at the Summer Olympics: The absolute top favorite and number one in the world, Iga Swiatek, surprisingly had to bow to the number 6 seeded Chinese Zheng Qinwen with 2:6,5:7 in the semifinals on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Spanish Wimbledon champion Alcaraz defeated American Tommy Paul 6:3,7:6(7).