Alexander Zverev accuses fan of yelling "most famous Hitler phrase" at US Open; Andre Agassi's ex-coach helps find culprit as security kicks him out
Alexander Zverev's fourth-round clash against Jannik Sinner at the 2023 US Open witnessed some controversial scenes as the German accused a fan of yelling "the most famous Hilter phrase" at him.
The match began with Zverev taking the first 6-4, following which Sinner equalized by taking the second 6-3. In the middle of the third set on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Zverev complained to the umpire that one of the fans had uttered an infamous line attributed to Adolf Hitler.
"He just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is," Zverev said.
Security personnel were then called on site to investigate, and they took a good 10 minutes to track down the culprit. As it turns out, it was Brad Gilbert, former coach of Andre Agassi and current mentor to Coco Gauff, who finally helped tracked him down.
The security personnel quickly nabbed the fan and escorted him out of the stadium, much to the delight of the other fans in the stands. Play resumed after a big round of applause, and Zverev wrapped up the third set 6-2.
However, Jannik Sinner responded by taking the fourth set 6-4 to force a decider. The duo are currently locked in battle in the fifth set, with the winner set to take on defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
"We've played great matches" - Carlos Alcaraz on potential US Open quarterfinal clash against Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz recently touched on the possibility of playing Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the 2023 US Open, saying that their head-to-head record is very close.
Zverev has three wins against Alcaraz's two. The Spaniard won their most recent clash (Round of 16 at the Madrid Open earlier this year), while Zverev triumphed in their most recent Grand Slam clash - in the quarterfinals of the French Open last year.
Alcaraz said he was looking forward to seeing Sinner and Zverev take on each other, adding that it would be a "really fun match" to watch.
"Against Sascha, the head-to-head as well is really, really close. We've played great matches. He's playing really, really well. This year he's finding his top level again," Alcaraz said.
"It's going to be a really fun, fun match to watch tonight between them, and let's see I going to play because going to be a really tough quarterfinal," he added.