Australian Open: Alexander Zverev reaches quarter-final with dramatic five-set win
Sixth seed Alexander Zverev pulled off a dramatic five-set win against Cameron Norrie to reach the 2024 Australian Open quarter-final. Zverev dropped two sets after winning the first set and eventually won the match-deciding tie-break. He won 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(10-3) after over four hours. Zverev, who reached his third Australian Open quarter-final, will next face second seed Carlos Alcaraz.
A look at the key stats
Zverev won a total of 166 points, while Norrie recorded 56 winners in the match. Zverev struck 15 aces compared to Norrie's 10. The former had a win percentage of 76 and 44 in the first and second serves, respectively. He won 28 of his 42 net points. Norrie (63) had more unforced errors than Zverev (41). The latter registered six double-faults.
Third Australian Open quarter-final
Zverev has reached his third quarter-final at the Australian Open. He qualified for this stage in 2021 and made it to the semis in 2020. Zverev now has a win-loss record of 24-8 at this Slam. Overall, this is Zverev's second consecutive quarter-final appearance at a Grand Slam. He qualified for the last three quarter-finals at the US Open.
A record major quarter-final appearance for Zverev
Zverev has reached his 11th quarter-finals at Grand Slams. As per Opta, he surpassed Michael Stich (10) to claim the second-most such appearances among German men. Only Boris Becker (23) has appeared in more major quarter-finals in the Open Era.
A 5-0 led over Norrie
Zverev now has a 5-0 lead over Norrie in the ATP head-to-head series. His other wins came in Vienna (2023), ATP Cup (2022), Canada Masters (2019), and Acapulco (2019). As per Opta, Norrie is the fourth opponent against whom Zverev has a 100% win rate (5-0). The German also holds this record also against Adrian Mannarino, Anderson, and Stan Wawrinka.
Zverev to meet Carlos Alcaraz
Zverev will face second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final. The latter stormed past Miomir Kecmanovic to reach his maiden Australian Open quarter-final. The Spaniard won 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in the men's single clash in an hour and 49 minutes. Alcaraz, who missed the 2023 tournament due to injury, has won three and lost four matches against Zverev.
