US Open storm as Alexander Zverev slams fan for 'Adolf Hitler slur' after Jannik Sinner win
US Open star Alexander Zverev was furious after fan made 'Adolf Hitler slur'
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Alexander Zverev's epic win over Jannik Sinner was marred after a fan allegedly made 'Adolf Hitler' slur against the German tennis star.
The 26-year-old battled his way to a five-set victory, overcoming his Italian opponent 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to make the quarter-finals of the competition.
During the contest, however, Zverev complained to the umpire about a comment he heard prior to a point.
The Hamburg-born star told British umpire James Keothavong that a fan 'said the most famous [Adolf] Hitler phrase to me', before also saying: 'It's unacceptable'.
Alexander Zverev was too strong for Jannik Sinner at the US Open
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The umpire then directly addressed the courtside seats, asking the culprit to identify himself.
Nobody initially owned up before the Brit urged the crowd to respect the players, with security then taking over.
Play continued as normal but the ESPN cameras then cut back to the stands to show a man being spoken to by security.
The same man was then escorted out of the stadium - but it's unclear whether he was the fan alleged to have made the Hitler slur.
Speaking after his win over Sinner, Zverev fumed: "He started singing the anthem of Hitler that was back in the day.
"It was 'Deutschland über alles,' and it was a bit too much.
"I think he was getting involved in the match for a long time, though. I don't mind it.
"I love when fans are loud. I love when fans are emotional.
"But I think me being German and not really proud of that history, it's not really a great thing to do, and I think him sitting in one of the front rows, I think a lot of people heard it.
"So if I just don't react, I think it's bad from my side."
He added: "It's his loss, to be honest, to not witness the final two sets of that match."
Supporters have been rattling tennis players during the competition so far, marring some of the excellence of the tournament in the process.
Daniil Medvedev snapped after beating Sebastian Baez, saying a fan had been continuously saying 'vamos' during his match.
"Thanks to all those who didn't yell between my first and second serve," he said to supporters after his triumph.
"However, there was a spectator, maybe he has a girlfriend or a wife who I don't know how she will sleep… He was particularly excited and will spend the night saying Vamos, vamos, vamos, without ever stopping.
"I'm sorry for him."
Zverev will now go up against Carlos Alcaraz in the last eight.
The Spaniard is the man to beat as the defending champion, while he also won Wimbledon back in July.
Alcaraz beat Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets, claiming a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
He reacted to his own win by saying: "The intensity from the start to the last ball, I think I played a really solid match.
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Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev will now face off in the quarter-finals of the US Open
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"Less mistakes. I played my game. Tried to go to the net all the time. I am really happy with the performance and I am happy to be through."