Alexander Zverev booked a Grand Slam semi-final for the second time this virus-interrupted season as he overcame a slow start to beat Borna Coric 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(1), 6-3 on Tuesday at the US Open.
The fifth seed became the first German in 25 years to get this far at Flushing Meadows as the event lumbers on amid a COVID-19 lockdown scenario with no fans present.
Croatian Coric saved two match points but returned out on a third to send Zverev ahead at Flushing Meadows.
Zverev also reached the semis in January in Melbourne, where he lost to Dominic Thiem.
“This is a great accomplishment,” Zverev said of his turnaround after a poor opening set.
“But I don’t want to stop here, I hope to continue the way I’m going.”
Coric stood 3-1 in the series but had little to offer on the night in the three-hour struggle.
Zverev dominated with 18 aces while saving four break points. The match was are-run of the 2013 junior semi-finals here, won by the Croatian.
Zverev now has two days off before his Friday semi.
The German began reversing his momentum after trailing a set and 2-4.
“I began playing more aggressively, I had not been playing at the level of a Grand Slam quarter-final,” Zverev said. “I got more consistent and my serve got better – I had nothing to lose at that point.
“I’ve been in the gym and on the track in the past five months. This is where that work pays off.”
