Alexander Zverev is now two wins away from joining the list of German winners at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle which was first played in 1993, namely Michael Stich (1994), Nicolas Kiefer (1999), David Prinosil (2000), Tommy Haas (2009 & 2012), Philipp Kohlschreiber (2011) and Florian Mayer (2016).
I’m happy to be winning and be in the semi-finals Alexander Zverev
The big German defeated France’s Arthur Fils 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4 as he took a step towards winning his first title on grass in preparation for Wimbledon.
However, a certain Jannik Sinner could well prove a problem in his quest as the Italian remains on course to reach the final following his third consecutive three-set victory.
To reach the last four, Sinner dispatched a second German contender, Jan-Lennard Struff 6-2 6-7(1) 7-6(4) and will face China’s Zhizhen Zhang who had an equally tough task to get past American Christopher Eubanks 6-4 4-6 7-5.
The 27-year-old Zverev will face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, the 2022 champion, and a 7-6(5) 6-4 winner over American Marcos Giron, for a place in the final.
Zverev started slowly and lost the first set to the Frenchman but raised his level in the second set breaking Fils to love at 3-2.
Having leveled the encounter, the third set saw the heavens open forcing the roof to be closed to create an atmosphere which suited the German. He broke for 5-4 and clinched victory in the next game.
“After the French Open, I was hoping on grass I would play a bit quicker and not play for two-and-a-half, three hours every single match, but I’m continuing what I always do,” the Roland-Garros finalist said. “I’m happy to be winning and be in the semi-finals.”
Hubert Hurkacz looks comfortable on the Halle grass
(Photo by Thomas F. Starke/Getty Images)
Hurkacz meanwhile, is in his third semi-final of the season and as a former champion, remains comfortable.
“It’s always great,” the Pole said following his win. “You are getting close to the finishing stages of the tournament and that’s why you go to the tournament, to be in this position. I’m really happy with my performance.”
