ATP Masters Indian Wells: match balls awarded! Zverev loses to Fritz
Alexander Zverev was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells. The German lost against Taylor Fritz in three sets despite two match points.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Oct 16, 2021, 01:08 am
Here you can read the match in the live ticker.
Alexander Zverev's third 1000 win in 2021: After the successes in Madrid and Cincinnati, the chances were good for the German in Indian Wells too, but despite two match points, Zverev had to beat Taylor Fritz 6-4 , 3: 6 and 6: 7 (3) are beaten. Fritz meets Nikoloz Basilashvili in the semifinals, who surprisingly defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Zverev got off to a strong start, but had to repay an early break straight away. Nevertheless, the Olympic champion won the first round 6: 4. And like in the first appearance in Indian Wells against Jenson Brooksby in the second act, he suffered a little slack. In the decision, however, Zverev was fully back, Fritz took the wind out of the sails with an early break. The first match ball Zverevs fended off Fritz with his own serve, a few moments later Zverev messed up the second chance with a double fault. The momentum was now suddenly with the American who equalized to zero at 5: 5.
Dimitrov with comeback victories
Somehow a decisive tiebreak was the logical consequence, Zverev started it with a double mistake. Fritz remained offensive, with aggressive tennis he made it 4-0, at 5-1 the sides were changed. Zverev fended off Fritz's first two match balls with his own serve. But the third was used by the local hero.
Semi-final opponent Basilashvili played aggressively against Tsitsipas as usual. And was rewarded for his risk. As for Taylor Fritz, Nikoloz Basilashvili’s appearance in the semi-finals of a 1000 tournament will be a premiere.
The second semifinals are played by Cameron Norrie and Grigor Dimitrov, who had no play on Friday. Norrie had left Diego Schwartzman only two games in his quarter-finals on Thursday, while Dimitrov had his second comeback win in a row against Hubert Hurkacz. The Bulgarian tournament favorite Daniil Medvedev had previously been kicked out of the competition.
Here the single tableau in Indian Wells
iwmap