Third-seeded Alexander Zverev emerges victorious in his match against Ben Shelton, securing a spot in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. His next opponent will be Carlos Alcaraz.
Alexander Zverev Struggles in Cincinnati Open Semi-Finals
Alexander Zverev's journey in the 2025 Cincinnati Open came to an end in the semi-finals, as he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. Despite a dominant quarter-final win against Ben Shelton, Zverev faced physical issues during the match against Alcaraz, ultimately retiring with a score of 6-4, 6-3.
The quarter-final match against Shelton saw Zverev in top form. He won the first five service games in a row after Shelton took the initial game. Zverev's strong serving performance continued throughout the match, as he won 81% of his first-serve points. However, he had to call for the doctor while 2-1 up in the second set due to breathing issues, but was able to continue and secure a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Zverev's win snapped Shelton's nine-match winning streak and marked his 16th win in his last 18 matches in Cincinnati. The victory also marked Zverev's fourth appearance in the semi-finals at consecutive ATP Masters 1000 events since his ankle injury at Roland-Garros in 2022.
In the semi-finals, Zverev appeared to struggle with his breathing again, but he fought valiantly against Alcaraz. However, the physical issues proved too much, and he was forced to retire from the match.
Despite the disappointing end to his Cincinnati Open run, Zverev has had a strong year, reaching the semi-finals at Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome in 2022. He is aiming to be 100% for the semi-finals on Saturday and will look to bounce back in his next tournament.
[1] Cincinnati Open Quarter-Final: Zverev defeats Shelton
[3] Zverev Retires from Cincinnati Open Semi-Final due to Physical Issues
[1] In the Cincinnati Open Quarter-Final, Alexander Zverev demonstrated his tennis prowess, defeating Ben Shelton and moving closer to his semi-final goal.
[3] Confronting Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open Semi-Finals, Zverev showcased his dedication to sports by playing through physical issues in tennis, but ultimately had to retire due to the intensity of his problems.
