World no. 3 Alexander Zverev will compete in his third Paris Masters semi-final. The 2020 finalist faced Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-final and scored a 7-5, 6-4 victory in an hour and 41 minutes, earning his sixth victory from 16 duels against the Greek. Thus, Tsitsipas ended his hopes of reaching the ATP Finals in Turin, wrapping up the season outside the top-10. Alexander prevailed in the closing stages of the opening set on the super-fast indoor court and provided a crucial break in the early stages of the second to emerge at the top and arrange the semi-final clash against Holger Rune.
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Which elements led Zverev toward the win over Tsitsipas?
World no. 3 served at 70%, in striking difference from his rival's 49%. Alexander produced reliable numbers behind the first and second serve, dropping 14 points in 11 service games and defending a lone break point while serving for the opening set at 6-5. Stefanos fought well but could not embrace at least one tie break. He played against seven break points and suffered two breaks within three service games, which cost him dearly. Zverev tamed his strokes nicely and finished the duel with 22 winners and 17 unforced errors. Tsitsipas landed 18 winners and 28 mistakes, spraying most errors from a forehand wing. World no. 3 outplayed his rival 25-17 in service winners and built a slight edge from the baseline. The German had the upper hand in the most advanced exchanges, and the Greek erased the deficit in the mid-range ones. However, Alexander forged the lead in the shortest range up to four strokes, attacking first and keeping the points on his racquet.
Alexander keeps his composure in the closing stages of the first set
They served well in the opening ten games of the encounter. Stefanos landed a backhand crosscourt winner in the tenth game, reaching a deuce and standing two points from taking the opener. However, Zverev kept his composure and drew the rival's mistake for a break and more drama at 5-5. Tsitsipas struggled behind the initial shot in the 11th game, facing two break points and hitting a costly double fault on the second that sent him behind. The German served for the set at 6-5 and squandered two set points before facing a break point after the Greek's deep return. Stefanos netted a routine forehand, missing an opportunity and allowing Alexander to land a service winner on the third set point, clinching the opener 7-5 after 57 minutes.
Zverev provides a crucial break early in the second set
World no. 3 secured the second game of the second set with a service winner and made a push on the return in the next one. Tsitsipas played against five break points, defending four but landing a forehand beyond the baseline on the fifth, losing serve and falling a set and a break behind. Zverev cemented the lead with an ace in the fourth game, moving 3-1 up and delivering three holds at love en route to a rock-solid victory.
