Alexander Zverev – Photo Credit: Flickr 

Alexander Zverev advanced to the US Open semi-finals and he moved into Novak Djokovic’s path as the world number one chases a calendar Grand Slam.

The German fourth seed stretched his win streak to 16 matches by defeating South Africa’s 46th-ranked Lloyd Harris 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-4. Zverev, last year’s US Open runner-up to now-injured Dominic Thiem, reached his fourth career Slam semi-final and could find himself matched against Djokovic.

The 24-year old Zverev was excited to play before a packed house at Arthur Ashe Stadium after spectators were not allowed to attend last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. He swatted a forehand beyond the baseline to hand Harris a set point in the opening tie-breaker, but Harris sent two forehands long and Zverev blasted a service winner to take the set.

Zverev broke Harris for a 2-0 lead in the second set and held serve from there, capturing the set on a service winner. 

Meanwhile, in the third set, Zverev broke Harris in the first and third games on the way to a 4-0 edge and finished off the match after two hours and six minutes with his 21st ace of the match.

Zverev had 43 winners to 34 by Harris while both athletes made 26 unforced errors.