Alex Zverev banishes ‘most difficult year of my life’ after suffering horror injury in freak fall by beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry to claim place in the semi-finals at French Open
- Alex Zverev suffered a horrendous injury while playing Rafael Nadal a year ago
- He was taken off court in a wheelchair after tearing ankle ligaments in a freak fall
- German overcame Tomas Martin Etcheverry to reach French Open semi-finals
Twelve months after being taken off the Court Philippe Chatrier in a wheelchair, Alex Zverev will be back contesting the semi-finals of the French Open.
The rangy German, now ranked 27, suffered a horrendous injury while playing Rafael Nadal in the last four a year ago, tearing ankle ligaments in a freak fall at the end of their second set.
Subsequent surgery ended his season, but after coming back in Australia he made it back to the semi-finals in Paris when he overcame the fast-improving Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in three hours and 22 minutes.
‘It was the most difficult year of my life, I love tennis and it was taken away and I can’t be happier to be back in the semi-finals here,’ said Zverev.
‘It was a very tough match today. He reminds me of Juan Martin Del Potro, he can be a top ten player for sure.’
Alex Zverev overcame Tomas Martin Etcheverry to reach the French Open semi-finals
The German suffered a horrendous injury while playing Rafael Nadal in the last four a year ago
Zverev was awaiting the winner of the second men’s quarter final, between Denmark’s Holger Rune and Casper Ruud of Norway.