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Another Grand Slam, and another disappointing exit for German Alexander Zverev.
Despite being a permanent fixture in the men’s top 10 rankings for more than four years, Zverev has yet to claim a Grand Slam title, reaching two semi-finals and the US Open final in 2020.
During the third seed’s fourth round exit to number 14 seed Denis Shapovalov, he lost his temper on multiple occasions.
Most notably, he really went off the deep end at the start of the second set after two double-faults helped Shapovalov break his serve.
For his troubles, he also earned a code violation from chair umpire Damien Dumusois:
Denis Shapovalov gets the point and Alexander Zverev takes it out on his racket! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Jf09pUi5C8
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 23, 2022
A racquet smash of such quality deserves a slow-motion replay:
when other players break a racket:
disgusting / poor sportsmanship / bad for the gameZverev: pic.twitter.com/67DBlkTewp
— Ryan (@Some1NamedRyan) January 23, 2022
Shapovalov’s straight-set win took just two hours and 24 minutes:
UPSET COMPLETE
Denis Shapovalov snaps a 17-match losing streak vs Top 5 opponents, defeating
[3]Zverev in straight sets!
Up next?
Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/lrIzaHygho
— TSN Tennis (@TSNTennis) January 23, 2022
Zverev’s failure to advance will be particularly tough to take given that the number one seed – yes, that man Novak – isn’t participating in the tournament.
The match was played in very hot conditions, reports inews, which Zverev was unimpressed by:
Zverev also took issue with the court surface, which he told Dumusois was “bubbling” because of the heat; much of the match was played in right sunshine with shade only overtaking the whole court by midway through the third set.
22-year-old Canadian Shapovalov has now booked himself a spot in the quarter-finals against Rafael Nadal, with the match set to take place early tomorrow morning South African time.
Vamos, Rafa.
[source:inews]
