Two matches away, Zverev vows to keep promise to Australia

It's been a long time coming, but Alexander Zverev is finally into a Grand Slam semifinal by beating Stan Wawrinka, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. It's unexpected given how he started 2020 with three losses at the ATP Cup, but it's also not as he's won three ATP Masters 1000s and the ATP Finals.

One of the theories behind Zverev's lack of major success was a struggle to compete well in best-of-five set matches, but by playing mostly three-setters, he's solved that issue. The world No. 7 has lost just one set.

He'll take on Dominic Thiem next, who took out Rafael Nadal and has beaten Zverev six out of their eight meetings. Fans online can't help but recall this photoshoot between the two friends in 2017 for Vogue:

Zverev is also playing with a little more incentive, and fan support, on his shoulders. Before the tournament, he vowed to donate $10,000 for every match he wins to bushfire relief efforts, and his entire prize money if he wins the title. At the time, it felt very unlikely for him to go all the way give his track record, but now, he's two wins away.

"Easy to say in the first round," Zverev said. "Yes, it is still true. I hope I can make it happen. I made the people of Australia a promise; I will keep that promise if it happens."