The Australian Open: Alexander Zverev almost knocked over by a feather in Tommy Paul win
Alexander Zverev has survived an extraordinary meltdown to take down Tommy Paul in four sets and charge into the Australian Open semi-finals.
Second-seeded Zverev, chasing an elusive maiden grand slam title, was almost knocked down by, of all things, a feather before he steadied to prevail 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-0) 2-6 6-1.
He will next face either world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz or 10-time champion Novak Djokovic, who play on Tuesday night, in his third Melbourne Park semi-final.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Tennis’ biggest unfulfilled talent, with two grand slam final losses to his name, Zverev won the first set in a tiebreak, fighting back after Paul served for the set at 6-5.
But with a serving Paul leading the second set 4-2, Zverev had his feathers ruffled - then almost imploded.
On break point, the German was incensed at the chair umpire after someone in the crowd yelled out just as he was about to take a swing at a ball close to the line - making him believe it had been called out.
No action was taken.
The 27-year-old then dropped the following point and received a code violation for an audible obscenity.
Then, at deuce, the umpire called a let after a feather landed near the ball just as Zverev was about to hit it.
It meant the point was replayed and Paul received another first serve.
Zverev plucked the feather - courtesy of one of the many seagulls in the Rod Laver Arena rafters - from the court and brandished it at the umpire in frustration.
“Buddy, it’s a feather!” Zverev squawked.
“There’s millions of them on the court.
“There’s one there, there’s one there, there’s one there.”
But rather than implode, the German showed he was no featherweight, proving unflappable as he reeled off four of the next five games to force the set to a tiebreak.
Paul, 27, served for the set at 5-3 and earned a set point on Zverev’s serve when leading 5-4, but couldn’t take his chances and was broken.
The German demolished the American 12th seed 7-0 in the tiebreak.
But Paul again recovered, breaking Zverev early in the third set and teeing up three set points on serve at 5-2, and this time converting.
It proved only a brief setback for Zverev, who cruised through the fourth set to claim victory.
