Afternoon all! we're all friends here, so let's be real with one another: if you're not buzzing for this one, you're seeking the most attention. Sometime, whenever that may be, Federer and Nadal are going to stop playing, and when they do, these lads will expect to succeed them. But can they do anything in the meantime? Thiem is a serious talent, but not always there mentally; Zverev is too, but could use a little more guile and variety. Both will fancy themselves today ... none of us have a clue.
D. Thiem vs A. Zverev | Roland-Garros
Men's Singles | Quarter-final | 05.06.2018 | Court Philippe-Chatrier
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Completed
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D. Thiem (7)
6
6
6
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A. Zverev (2)
4
2
1
Live
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Updated 05/06/2018 at 14:09 GMT
- All
- Highlights
15:09
So that's that. Stephens and Kasatkina next.
15:07
Thiem has now reached his third semi at Roland-Garros, and he'll give everything to go one step further this year.
15:05
That was very good from Thiem, whose celebration is naturally muted but who looked in very good shape. He knew that Zverev would be lacking physically and exploited that to the maximum, moving him side to side and in and out. In interview, he says he hopes he and Zverev, who is one of the fittest on tour, will share plenty more big matches.
14:57
Thiem 6-4 6-2 6-1 Zverev
Blessedly, Zverev finds himself matchpoint down, only to save it with a giant backhand wiped down the line; he's his own worst enemy. And then he saves another with a dainty drop, but that's all he can muster and shortly afterwards the players are snuggling at the net. Thiem will play Djokovic or Cecchinato next.
14:55
Thiem 6-4 6-2 5-1 Zverev
Zverev is picking it up here, would you Adam et Eve, and after saving break-points last game earns one of his own this. But Thiem saves it with a big forehand topspin winner and moments later he's a game away from the semis.
14:51
Thiem 6-4 6-2 4-1 Zverev
Whaddaya know?! The comeback is ... oooooaaaannnn!
14:49
Thiem 6-4 6-2 4-0 Zverev
This is miserable. Thiem has played really well here, which shouldn't be forgotten, but we can't escape the fact that this has been a major disappointment. Ah well.
14:39
Thiem 6-4 6-2 3-0 Zverev
Zverev is sticking in there to get to the handshake. He's not got long to wait, because this isn't a context and stopped being one quite some time ago.
14:37
Thiem 6-4 6-2 1-0 Zverev
Thiem breaks in the first game of the third set. I'm not entirely certain why Zverev is going on, but that's because I'm not an elite sportsman and pathlogical competitor.
14:30
Thiem 6-4 6-2 Zverev
Zverev is back, but does he have anything left? No one has ever played as long to get to this stage of a tournament...
14:29
Thiem 6-4 6-2 Zverev
Zverev has left the court to get changed or somesuch.
14:28
Thiem 6-4 6-2 Zverev
Thiem holds to love, and Zverev, who has never come fro two sets down to win a match, looks like he's going to continue. Good for him, because the temptation must be to go home and get ready for Wimbledon.
14:23
Thiem 6-4 5-2 Zverev
Zverev holds and Thiem will have to serve for the second set. No doubt he'll deal, and when he does, will Zverev persist?
14:18
Thiem 6-4 5-1 Zverev
Thiem is enjoying himself here, whipping forehands with palpable joy. Zverev is looking up at his team as though beseeching them to pull him out, but he's about to serve at 1-5 and the rain is still naewhere to be seen.
14:15
Thiem 6-4 4-1 Zverev
Zverev has played nearly 12 hours this competiton and takes a three-minute timeout. He's back on court, but it would not be remotely surprising if he called it a fortnight in the next little bit.
14:11
Thiem 6-4 4-1 Zverev
Zverev is in a situation here, bothered by that hammy (get me) and looking far less sprightly than Thiem. But more than that, Thiem is controlling the pace of the match and the construction of the points, forever making his man hit an extra ball and arranging two further break-points. He takes the second, and out comes the trainer.
14:05
Thiem 6-4 3-1 Zverev
Zverev looks at the sky willing it to open but then forces a break-point ... and what a point it is. Thiem pujlls him into the net after some thunking groundstrokes but Zverev can only bunt it back, and when he gets another go, Thiem plays a brilliant squash shot across the face of the net that's too good and eases through advantage. He'll be heartened by that but so will Zverev because that was his first chance of the match.
14:02
Thiem 6-4 2-1 Zverev
Zverev needs to find something because if he doesn't the match will be over. Theim breaks him barely having to try to do, and the number 2 seed looks bang out of energy and ideas.
13:54
Thiem 6-4 1-1 Zverev
McEnroe is talking about being President; "stranger things have happened," he's told. "The strangest thing ever already happened, two years ago; nothing can top that," he replies.
13:52
Thiem 6-4 Zverev
Thiem racks up two set-points and looks set to take the first, but Zverev runs down a tame drop-shot and forces an error. So Thiem looks in the cupboard, pulls out an ace, and there we go. He's really earned that set, playing the better, more dynamic tennis. Can Zverev respond?