Australian Open: Zverev shines and storms into the quarterfinals

Sgreat, praise. Alexander Zverev has rarely finished a game, but even at 28 years old there still has to be news. Francisco Cerúndolo, a player among the world’s best players, would of course have liked to have missed out on this experience, that was evident on his face, but what was the 27-year-old Argentine supposed to do? This opponent was better in every area. Even these short chipped balls behind the net reach Zverev. “I played a lot of stops today, I have no idea why. I only try to do that once a year,” flirted the German during an interview on the court in the John Cain Arena after his 6:2, 6:4, 6:4 victory. To then add seriously: “I’m happy to be back in the quarter-finals.”

Zverev reached the round of eight for the fifth time this Sunday, overtaking Boris Becker in this statistic (Becker, however, secured the titles in Melbourne in 1991 and 1996). Three more wins and Zverev would actually have achieved his big dream: to finally win one of these damn Grand Slam tournaments. He doesn’t want to go down in history as the best player who never triumphed in these. “I hope I can play even better in the next three matches,” he said. He already has the countdown to the title in his head. Will it work this time, in the 40th attempt? He now faces young up-and-comer Learner Tien, 20, who is currently shooting up and dispatched Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 on Sunday.

The Zverev in Melbourne these days is definitely a tidy Zverev on the pitch. He even shone against Cerúndolo. It was noticeable once again: He doesn’t hesitate, he doesn’t argue, he usually seems objective, serious and focused, as if he had put aside the harmful emotions that often slowed him down in matches in the locker room. Now it could be argued that Zverev has not yet met an immediate candidate for the title. But it wasn’t long ago that Zverev went through a deep valley; last summer at Wimbledon he revealed mental problems (“pretty alone in life”, “never felt so empty”). That’s behind him, apparently.

In 2025 he had mental problems, and now? “I understood that psychologists are idiots,” says Zverev

As a reminder: During the Australian Open 2025, the reported Bildnewspaper, Zverev would have spoken more often on the phone to a psychologist; a year ago he reached the final, in which he clearly lost to South Tyrolean Jannik Sinner. Even after his confession at the All England Club, he sought psychological help. At the US Open in late summer, for example, he said that that help was good for him: “It’s a process. It’s not over in a week or two. I think it’s something you have to work on over several years.” However, as his brother Mischa, who is ten years older than him, made it clear, Zverev’s every word doesn’t have to be taken lightly, as he now demonstrated in Melbourne, because he sounded completely different. When he was asked whether his progress on the pitch was due to working with an expert, he said cheekily: “No, not at all. I understand that psychologists are badass.” Now one could say: Sometimes Zverev doesn’t make it easy for the public to see through him. “I’m happy on the pitch and then everything will be easier for me,” is what he said now. And that’s probably the whole secret with Zverev.

At the moment he exudes a robust competitive toughness, however this came about. Zverev playfully dismantled Cerúndolo at times like in a textbook; by the middle of the second set he had already won seven direct points using just his forehand. That punch, he said after his third-round win against Britain’s Cameron Norrie, made him win or lose. The forehand barometer in Melbourne is showing clear best values ​​this time. But his position on the court, which was one of the favorite topics of Boris Becker, the former world number one, years ago, has also improved. He is closer to the baseline, takes the balls earlier, applies more pressure and exudes more presence.

His serve, now completely overhauled after years of wobbling, has also become a reliable provider of points and at the same time a suitable preparation shot. He finally stops throwing the ball all the way to the moon before it hits it. In 2024 at the US Open, tennis data expert Craig O’Shannessy told the SZ: “Zverev doesn’t know who he is on the court.” At the moment one could conclude: Zverev now knows who he should be on the pitch. Whether this is enough to achieve the longed-for first Grand Slam title is a question in which others will of course have a say.

The two professionals, who have shared all the Grand Slam trophies between themselves for two years, have once again put themselves in position, even though they left contrasting impressions. The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, 22, appears stable, although at the end of 2025 he still had to overcome the turbulence surrounding his sacking as coach by Juan Carlos Ferrero. Even in the 7:6 (6), 6:4, 7:5 round of 16 win against the American Tommy Paul on Sunday, Alcaraz, who as always played in a sleeveless muscle shirt, didn’t show any weakness and said: “I’m very happy with my level.”

Less threatening, however, was the most recent appearance of Sinner, second in the world rankings, who almost stumbled. The cause of his massive problems in the match against the American Eliot Spizzirri was the extreme heat on Saturday. The so-called heat rule took effect and matches on the outdoor courts were interrupted at almost 40 degrees. Plagued by cramps, Sinner seemed to be close to knocking out like a staggering boxer in the middle of the third set, but just at 1:3 there was a half-hour break as the roof was closed. Sinner really didn’t shine afterwards either and limped around. But he struggled to a 4:6, 6:3, 6:4, 6:4 win. “I was lucky with the heat rule today,” said Sinner. “I had cramps everywhere. I know I need to improve in that area.”