Alexander Zverev is ‘ready for Rafa’ as brother Mischa talks up his French Open chances

Originally posted on Tennisbuzz | Last updated 6/1/22

Alexander Zverev has been backed to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open, with his brother Mischa Zverev saying he has the biggest weapons left in the tournament.

Zverev will become the latest player to try to take down Rafael Nadal on Court-Philippe Chatrier when they face off for a place in the final of the French Open on Friday.

Nadal’s record in the French Open is absolutely imperious, and he put on a real clinic in dismissing Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

However, Mischa is confident his brother can pull off a landmark victory if he can put together his strongest game.

Asked about Alexander Zverev’s upcoming semi-final, Mischa told Eurosport: “I think he is ready for Rafa.”

“Of the four players [left in the men’s draw], Sascha [Alexander] has the fastest forehand, the fastest backhand and the fastest serve.

“He is also the tallest at two metres, so he has the widest reach – and his footwork is not the worst either.

“So I ask, ‘How can you be beaten when you play well?’ You have almost the complete repertoire of shots, you can play aggressive and you have a good defence – you can become number one with that.”

Alexander Zverev will take to the court against Nadal full of confidence after his fine performance against rising ATP powerhouse Carlos Alcaraz in the last eight.

Mischa believed a new-found maturity and calm played a major part in that win and he is hopeful it can have a similar impact against Nadal.

“The game plan was excellent – from the first point,” he explained. “He used his forehand cross-court well, the backhand longline [down the line], played a lot into Alcaraz’s forehand and served well.

“But he was also very focused and calm and didn’t get distracted. He didn’t get irritated by Alcaraz’s good shots, nor by his own bad shots.

“That was really very strong. In the end, it was the backhand longline that drove home the win.

“He managed to put a lot together. He beat a top-10 player for the first time in a Grand Slam tournament – even though he wasn’t the favourite, because the other player may be younger, but he has played really well on clay this year.

“Sascha proved to the critics that he plays very well, that he is able to do it and that he can also take the favourites out of the tournament with some nice tennis.”

This article first appeared on Tennisbuzz and was syndicated with permission.

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