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Alexander Zverev is about to win the third tournament in a row. After his two titles in Cologne, the 23-year-old dominated the semi-finals of the Paris Masters in 6: 4, 7: 5 against Rafael Nadal for long stretches. It was only Zverev’s second victory in the seventh game between the two. After the defeat, Nadal has to wait for the first victory of the Paris Masters tournament. It is one of the few major tournaments that he has not won.
“I thought it was a very good match,” Zverev said after the match. “It is never easy against Rafa, to have a chance against him you have to play at a high level, I did it today.”
Zverev started the game confident of two tournament wins and eleven games in a row. The German won most of the baseline duels early on and knocked out Nadal’s second service game. Nadal’s next serve was 0:30 from the Spanish point of view, but he came out of the situation with four good serves.
A strong service rate leaves Nadal with no chances
But the service worked much better in Zverev. When he served, Nadal had no chance in the first set. Zverev, who brought nearly 80 percent of his first serves to the field and then scored nearly 90 percent of the point, didn’t have to dodge a single break opportunity in the first set.
The 23-year-old also posted a break early in the second round. However, in the middle of the sentence he lost his sovereignty regarding service. At 3: 2, Zverev was able to fend off two breakballs with good serves, including a second down the line. But he had to give up the next serve to Nadal. The game threatened to turn upside down until Zverev managed another break, this time decisive, with a score of 5: 5.
In Sunday’s final, Zverev will face Daniil Medvedev of Russia, who was able to beat Canadian Milos Raonic 6: 4, 7: 6.
