Alexander Zverev and Holger Rune will compete in the first Paris Masters semi-final on Saturday. The German and the Dane will embrace their fourth meeting and the third of the season, with Alexander leading their H2H 2-1. Both players will seek another good result in Paris, with the 2020 finalist battling against the 2022 champion. The young Dane ousted Zverev at one of his favorite tournaments in 2022, and the German responded with two wins in the current season.
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Holger tops Alexander in Munich 2022
Zverev and Rune embraced their first duel in Munich two years ago, with a teenager earning a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory in the second round en route to his first ATP title. Both players found the first serve, and Holger produced more efficient numbers behind the first and second. The young gun outplayed the home favorite in the crucial moments, fending off six of seven break points and providing four breaks from 11 opportunities. Rune made a reliable start, delivering three fine holds and breaking at love in the second game for a 4-1 advantage.
Zverev made a push on the return in the seventh game, converting the fourth break point and erasing the deficit. However, Holger grabbed another break in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead and denied two break points in the next one, seizing the sixth set point for 6-3 and a boost. Alexander struggled behind the initial shot at the beginning of the second set, playing against eight break points. He lost serve in the first game and saved three break points at 0-2, remaining within one break deficit. However, Rune clinched another break in the fifth game, opening a 4-1 advantage and sealing the deal with a hold in game eight.
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Alexander edges Holger at this year's Roland Garros
Their second duel came at Roland Garros this spring, with two rivals heading down to the wire. In the fourth round, Zverev prevailed 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6, 6-2 in four hours and 11 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier, sealing the deal at 1:40 am and earning his first triumph over Rune. The German improved his incredible score in the Roland Garros five-setters to 10-1, keeping his composure in the closing stages of the fourth set and toppling the younger opponent in the decider. Alexander collected 22 points more than his rival thanks to sets two and five. He landed 16 aces and outplayed his opponent behind the first serve. Zverev generated 23 break chances from 43% of the return points won, converting eight and doing enough to cross the finish line first after suffering six breaks.
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The German sprayed fewer mistakes, taming his strokes nicely and taking the pivotal points. The better-ranked player forged the lead in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, while nothing separated them in the more advanced ones. Rune prevailed with a single break in the opener, and Zverev raised his level in the second. Holger saved break points in the 11th game of the third set and secured a break in the next one, stealing the set 7-5 and moving closer to the finish line. Alexander led 5-3 in the fourth set before bringing his rival to the positive side ahead of the tie break. The more experienced player clinched it 7-2 with three mini-breaks, forcing a decider and gaining a boost. Zverev served well in the final set and broke his opponent two times, emerging over the top in style in a late-night Parisian thriller.
Zverev turns their H2H in Montreal
Alexander and Holger battled for the third time in August in Montreal. The German scored a 6-3, 7-6 victory, beating the Dane for the second time and moving into the quarter-final. The better-ranked player produced more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve, denying two or three break points and securing four breaks from seven opportunities. Zverev grabbed a break in the third game of the duel and assembled three comfortable holds for a 4-2 advantage. Rune stayed in touch with a hold in game seven and generated two break chances in the next one, locking good to erase the deficit. However, Alexander saved them and clinched four straight points for a vital hold and a 5-3 lead.
The German delivered another break in game nine, taking the opener 6-3 and gaining a boost. They served well at the beginning of the second set, providing seven comfortable holds. Alexander stepped in on the return at 4-3 and broke Holger, moving in front and serving for the win in game nine. However, the Dane kept his composure and broke back at 15, returning to the positive side and extending the battle. They served well in the next two games, and the younger player needed another good hold at 5-6. Rune saved two match points, overcoming a massive challenge and introducing a tie break. Alexander left those match points behind and earned two mini-breaks for 5-1. He forged a 6-2 lead and generated four match points before Holger erased three, reducing the gap to 6-5. Still, the German claimed the 12th point, converting the sixth match point and celebrating his second win over the Dane.
