Zverev wants to close a pending account in Halle | ATP Tour

Halle

Zverev wants to close a pending account in Halle

Alexander reached the final in the 2016 and 2017 editions

June 21, 2024

Alexander Zverev wants to mark the territory in a familiar setting. The German reached the semifinals this Friday at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, where he will aspire to lift the first ATP Tour title on grass of his career. After reaching the finals in the 2016 and 2017 editions, being one step away from the trophy, the player from Hamburg wants to close a pending story before his fans and underline his status as a contender for any tournament on the calendar.

The No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings had to sweat to earn his ticket to the penultimate round, coming back 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 against Frenchman Arthur Fils in two hours and 26 minutes of effort. Facing a player with quick hands and physical splendor at 20 years old, Zverev needed patience to impose his consistency. Despite the problems, the German did not deliver a single turn of service in the entire match, clinging to a blow that can disrupt the plans of any opponent.

Days after reaching the Roland Garros final, Zverev has shown an immediate ability to adapt to the grass. With a firm serve, balanced mobility on the surface and a backhand that crosses the court with fury, Alexander presents an arsenal of blows enough to aspire to everything in the German ATP 500.

“After Roland Garros, I expected to play shorter matches and not be on the court for two and a half or three hours in each match. But that’s what I continue to do,” Zverev joked. “I’m happy to have won and to appear in the semifinals.”

The German strives to extend a 2024 season in which he has achieved great results on all surfaces. After reaching the semi-final of the Australian Open on hard court and also shining on clay, regaining the throne in Rome and playing in his second Grand Slam final at Roland Garros, Alexander attacks the grass with a conviction intact in his game.

Now, Zverev will face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the semifinals, who opened the day by confirming his solvency by defeating American Marcos Giron 7-6(5), 6-4. The No. 9 in the PIF ATP Rankings, champion in the 2022 edition, has shown enormous coolness on the Halle grass, winning the three tiebreaks played throughout the week. With intelligent use of the serve on the grass, Hubert has only given up two breaks in the entire tournament.

“It’s always exciting,” Hurkacz said after reaching the semifinals. “When you approach the final rounds of the tournament, you play the matches you want. I’m very happy with my performance.”

In the first duel between Top 10 figures of the PIF ATP Rankings to be fought in Halle, Zverev dominates the Lexus ATP Head2Head record 3-0 against Hurkacz. The German, who already defeated the Pole in the United Cup final at the beginning of the 2024 season, has without error piloted a rivalry that has no precedents on grass,

In a demonstration of professional growth, Fils was one step away from reaching his first ATP Tour semi-final on grass. The Frenchman, who had not won victories on the surface before 2024, has managed to advance rounds in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Halle to rub shoulders with the strongest names in the draw. One of the most promising young players on the circuit at 20 years old, the Frenchman will participate next week in the Rothesay International in Eastbourne.

Did you know…?
Alexander Zverev aspires to become the sixth German player to win the individual title at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle. Since its establishment on the ATP Tour calendar in the 1993 season, the Germans Michael Stich (1994), Nicolas Kiefer (1999), David Prinosil (2000), Tommy Haas (2009, 2012) took advantage of their local status on the grass to kiss the trophy. ) and Florian Mayer (2016).