In a tense and dramatic clash at the US Open, Alexander Zverev overcame an injury scare to defeat British No. 1 Cameron Norrie and secure his spot in the fourth round. The German star, who has been in strong form, was briefly slowed down by what appeared to be a troubling injury but managed to hold his nerve and power through for a hard-fought victory.
Zverev, seeded 12th, took the match 7-6(5), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, but it wasn’t without its tense moments. Early in the third set, the 2020 US Open finalist appeared to tweak his ankle while reaching for a wide forehand, grimacing in pain as he stumbled slightly. The crowd gasped as Zverev called for a medical timeout, raising fears of a potential withdrawal.
However, after receiving treatment and testing his movement, Zverev courageously returned to the court, determined to keep his tournament hopes alive. “I felt something in my ankle, and for a moment, I was really worried,” Zverev said after the match. “But thankfully, it wasn’t serious. I knew I had to push through if I wanted to stay in this tournament.”
Norrie, who had been battling valiantly, sensed his opportunity and seized the third set as Zverev’s movement appeared slightly hampered. But in true champion style, Zverev dug deep in the fourth set, showcasing his big serve and powerful groundstrokes to hold off Norrie’s challenge and close out the match.
“Cam’s a great player, and I knew he would fight until the end,” Zverev added. “It wasn’t easy, especially with the ankle scare, but I’m happy I could find a way to win.”
Zverev’s resilience earned him the admiration of fans and pundits alike, as he continues his quest for his first Grand Slam title. With his injury scare seemingly behind him, Zverev now turns his focus to the next round, where he’ll face another tough challenge.
As the tournament intensifies, all eyes will be on Zverev’s fitness and whether he can continue his impressive run in New York. One thing is for sure: Zverev has proven that, even when facing adversity, he’s a force to be reckoned with at this year’s US Open.
