Zverev advances to the quarterfinals in Halle | ATP Tour

Halle

Zverev advances to quarterfinals in Halle

Zhang surprised Medvedev in the decisive set tie-break

June 19, 2024

Nothing like winning with the support of the public, and that’s what Alexander Zverev did against Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-6(5). Twice a finalist in Halle, the second seed reaches the quarterfinals at the Terra Wortmann Open for the fifth time.

Zverev trailed 0/3 in the second set tie-break, but relied on his powerful serve and consistent backhand to avoid any drama at the OWL Arena. The 27-year-old won 86% of his first serve points, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and gave up just two points on his second serve.

“Extremely happy with my performance,” said the Roland Garros finalist. “I felt like it was good tennis and I’m happy to be in the quarterfinals. I’m enjoying the moments on these beautiful courts, happy to be playing the way I’m doing. I hope I can continue building, continue playing better.”

Zverev will face 20-year-old Arthur Fils, who is ranked first in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, in the quarterfinals. The Frenchman aspires to return to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, where he was a finalist in 2023, and beat Dominik Koepfer 6-3, 6-4.

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Meanwhile, China’s No. 1 racket Zhang Zhizhen achieved his second career victory against a Top 5 opponent on Wednesday by defeating third seed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 ( 5). At 3/5 in the third set tie-break, Zhang won four consecutive points to shock the world No. 5 and become the first Chinese player to reach the Halle quarterfinals. “It was a very tough game.

The last time I lost in the third set tie-break [en Stuttgart la semana pasada]. And today again, a tie-break in the third set. He thought: ‘Okay, it’s time. Perfect time for revenge,'” Zhang said. “I’m super happy that I handled it all the way today.”

The 27-year-old dropped six straight games from 2-2 down in the second set, but came back from a break down early in the deciding set to get within striking distance. Zhang, who had a win against Casper Ruud at last year’s US Open, fought back on serve at 4-5 in the third set, when Medvedev was two points away from victory.

Thus, the No. 42 in the PIF ATP Rankings will next face the American Christopher Eubanks, who got rid of the defending champion Alexander Bublik 7-6(5), 4-6 and 6-3. It will be Zhang’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head matchup with Eubanks. Medvedev fell to 28-9 on the season, with his best finish being a final appearance at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. The 28-year-old was aiming to reach his 10th consecutive ATP 500 quarterfinal.

Earlier in Halle, Jan-Lennard Struff scored a dramatic victory against Luciano Darderi, converting his tenth match point to win 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(10) after two hours and 31 minutes. The Italian Darderi will regret having missed a match point at 8/7 in the third set tie-break. Matteo Berrettini, for his part, defeated the American Alex Michelsen 7-6(5) and 6-2, and Arthur Fils defeated Dominik Koepfer 6-3 and 6-4.