Zverev’s upset of Murray caps full comeback

MELBOUR N E, AUSTR A LI A • Mischa Zverev still remembers one of his earliest losses to Andy Murray, when the two were rising juniors, just 17 years old, and playing in the semifinals of the 2004 U. S. Open boys’ tournament.

Zverev tried playing a serve-and-volley game and lost. Murray went on to win the title.

More than 12 years later, Zverev tried the same tactics against Murray on a far bigger stage — and this time it worked. The German journeyman served, volleyed and sliced his way to a 7- 5, 5-7, 6-2, 6- 4 upset over No. 1- ranked Murray to reach the quarter-finals at the Australian Open.

“I knew I could get to him with my game,” Zverev said. “I knew I could slice a lot, come in, try to annoy him, which worked.”

The win capped an improbable career comeback for Zverev, who has recently been known as the older brother of star- in- waiting Alexander Zverev and may now be finally starting to realize his own potential as a player — at the ripe old age of 29.

Zverev had been a highly regarded junior player, but his professional career never really took off. He peaked at a high ranking of No. 48 in 2009, but injuries and a lack of dedication took a toll.

After undergoing surgery to repair a fractured wrist in 2014, Zverev hit what he calls “the bottom.” His ranking plummeted to No. 1067 and to stay engaged in the sport, he chaperoned teenage friends of his brother around south Texas to play in the bottom-rung of professional tournaments.

Keeping up with his brother Alexander, 10 years his junior, was a major motivation. Considered by many to be a future Grand Slam champion, Alexander began his rapid ascent just as Mischa was finding his feet again.

Alexander finally broke the drought by making the main draw at last year’s U.S. Open and finished the year strongly, notching wins over U. S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios.