Tennis: Zverev reaches semi-finals in Paris

Alexander Zverev has reached the semi-finals of the tennis tournament in Paris and still has the chance to win his second title this season. The 2021 Olympic tennis champion defeated the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas with a dominant performance 7:5, 6:4. The world number three will now face the winner of the game between Holger Rune from Denmark and the Australian Alex de Minaur at the Masters 1000 tournament.

Of the previous 15 duels with Tsitsipas, Zverev had only won 5. Thanks to a strong serve, the Hamburg native reached the semi-finals of the indoor tournament in the Bercy district of Paris for the third time. So far this year, the 27-year-old has only won the Masters tournament in Rome.

At eye level for a long time

“He is a great player who should not be underestimated,” Zverev said about Tsitsipas on Sky before the game. After a weak year, the former world number three is now only ranked eleventh. “The season he is playing is not normal and he is not happy with it himself,” said Zverev.

Until 5:5 there was no break point in the game at eye level, but Tsitsipas gave up his serve with a double fault. The Greek then had his first chance to break. But Zverev stayed strong and converted his third set point with a strong serve.

With a forehand error, Tsitsipas caused the early first break to make it 2-1 for Zverev in the second round. He remained confident on his own serve and celebrated advancing after 1:40 hours.