Alexander Zverev, the 2020 US Open runner-up, defeated sixth-seeded Jannik Sinner 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6 and 6-3 late Monday and qualified for the quarterfinals of the last Grand Slam of the year.
With this victory, the 26-year-old German meets Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and first seed.
Zverev, who is returning to his best form after an ankle injury ruined his 2022 season, and Sinner broke each other’s serves in the early stages of the competition to engage in a close battle that ended 4-4, the then decided the Germans and won the first set with two direct serve points.
Sinner immediately responded with heavy punches in the next set to take a 3-0 lead, turning up the heat at the steaming Arthur Ashe Stadium to thwart the 2020 finalist’s onslaught.
Sinner suffered cramps in both legs in the next set. The 22-year-old saved five break points to keep the score 2-2, but 12th-seeded Zverev collected it all in the next four games.
World number six Sinner started giving his all in the fourth set and Zverev collapsed under the onslaught, dropping serve in the ninth game and taking the match into the fifth set.
But a break of serve in the fifth set gave Zverev the lead and he kept his nerve and secured victory with a powerful serve in four hours and 41 minutes.
