NEWS
Partycrasher! De Minaur Beats Zverev in Second Vienna Semifinal
The Australian spoils the dream final and will play against Carlos Alcaraz for the Erste Bank Open title. To do so, he must win against the Spaniard for the first time.
Alex de Minaur prevents the dream final at the Erste Bank Open.
The Australian defeats Alexander Zverev (GER) in the second Vienna semifinal with 6:4, 1:6, 7:6 (4) and joins Carlos Alcaraz in the final. The Spaniard had previously prevailed against Daniil Medvedev (RUS).
Zverev thus misses the chance for his second title in Austria's capital after 2021. The 29-year-old German can console himself with the fact that he will be the new world No. 1 in tennis from Monday.
De Minaur, on the other hand, is the first player from "Down Under" to reach the final in Vienna. For his second title this season after Rotterdam, he will have to claim his first victory against Alcaraz in their seventh encounter.
Zverev Fights Back After Losing First Set
De Minaur dominated the first set. The 27-year-old from Sydney allowed no break chances and broke Zverev's serve at 2:2. After 50 minutes, the underdog was up 1-0 in sets.
However, the world No. 10 could not follow up on that. Zverev found an effective way, allowing him two breaks and a quick 5-0 lead. De Minaur managed to win one game, then Zverev served out for a 6:1.
De Minaur Holds His Nerve
The decisive set in the battle for a place in the final turned into a thriller, with both players holding their nerve on their own serve and not facing a single break point.
Consequently, the second finalist had to be decided in a tie-break. There, De Minaur led 3-0 after two mini-breaks but gifted Zverev the 3-1 with a double fault. On his first match point, he committed another double fault.
Zverev was then able to save a second match point, but after the third and a backhand error from the German, De Minaur stood in the Vienna final.
