The U.S. Open men’s field had escaped the upsets rife on the women’s side. That is, until Saturday, when fourth-ranked German phenom Alexander Zverev got stunned by countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Kohlschreiber overcame not only Zverev but his own terrible history against top foes, gutting out a 6-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 third-round upset at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“Overall I think my game, yeah, it’s good. I move around the big guys a lot. Obviously that’s maybe one of not their strengths, let’s put it this way,” Kohlschreiber said. “I think I have variety in my game. Yeah, it was very good today. (I) was hurting him a lot. Like I mentioned, the tactic was (good).”
The 34-year-old Kohlschreiber is the epitome of a journeyman, coming in just 3-22 all-time against Top 10 players in Grand Slam play. But he pulled out a huge win, and did it against his country’s brightest young talent. He’d beaten Zverev in their only other Grand Slam meeting – a five-set first-round win here in 2015 – and did it again.
Zverev, 21, came in leading the ATP World Tour this season in match wins (45); but he has disappointed in Grand Slams this year. He had one quarterfinal appearance and after Saturday has lost in the third round three times.
His older countryman’s array of drop shots gave him fits, as did Kohlschreiber’s ability to return his booming serve. In the end Kohlschreiber finished 8-of-12 on break points, Zverev just 3-of-13. And when Zverev couldn’t return his wicked forehand on match point, the normally-stoic Kohlschreiber showed his first real emotions of the match, roaring in celebration.
Kohlschreiber is on to the fourth round and will face No. 21 Kei Nishikori, who scored a 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 victory over No. 13 Diego Schwartzman.
“I lost. That’s what happened,” said Zverev, who downplayed his Grand Slam woes. “There’s a lot of focus on the Grand Slams. I’ve obviously done well in Paris, but not at the other Grand Slams this year maybe for different reasons.
“Australia, I played against Chung (Hyeon), who played very well. Wimbledon I was still recovering from an injury. Here I played a good opponent, just couldn’t find my best game. … You are overthinking this way too much. Wow, you’re stretching it, really stretching it.”
