Zverev 6-3 Nadal
Some powerful groundstrokes from Nadal and Zverev nets. But with his serve not as dominant as the German’s, I wonder how much these booming shots from deep are taking out of him – he’s already vocally grunting with effort.
And he nets a little tamely, Zverev threatening at 15-30. The crowd tries to lift the 22-time Grand Slam champion. And it works, Nadal gets to the net and swats away a floaty, last-ditch Zverev return.
Now Zverev nets under little pressure. How momentum swings mid-match, mid-set, even mid-game. Gorgeous side-spinning drop shot with one hand from Zverev and we’re at deuce.
Oh no, Rafa errs, the crowd groans and it’s a set point for his opponent. Saved, bringing shouts of encouragement in Spanish from his box. But he goes long and, as the game ticks towards eight minutes long, Zverev has a second set point. But Zverev chips it long!
Nadal advantage, gone, third deuce. He mutters darkly to himself. And what a point that is: Nadal with a nearly perfect drop shot, but nearly isn’t enough against the fourth seed. Zverev is so quick, slides to get there and flicks a dainty chip past Nadal’s lunge to his left.
Advantage, and taken. Set to Zverev.
ظهرت في الأصل على www.nytimes.com