Zverev Cruised In Turin Finals, Medevedev Wins; Ruud v Rublev For Last SF Spot

Alexander Zverev booked his semifinal spot in the ATP Finals by cruising past Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-2.

The 2018 champion connected on 22 winners to only eight unforced to reach his third semifinal at the ATP Finals.

“Today was a tough match mentally because I needed to win, so I was 100 per cent focused,” Zverev said. “It was very up and down, and I am happy to be through and win in straight sets. You can always improve. The margins are always very small between the top players, but to win you have to do the details right. I hope I can do that on Saturday.”

On Saturday, Zverev will meet Novak Djokovic. The two played a spirited 5-setter at the US Open. Zverev did won at the Tokyo Olympics, but otherwise has dropped six of his last seven to the Serb and is down 3-7 in their head-to-head.

“I have played Novak in every single big hard court tournament this year,” Zverev said. “We are making a habit of playing in the later rounds at big tournaments. It is going to be an entertaining one I think.”

In the evening, the Italian fans nearly had something to celebrate. Jannik Sinner, who replaced the injured Matteo Berrettini earlier in the week, overcame a horrible first set and nearly pulled off the upset against Daniil Medvedev before falling just short 6-0, 6-7(5), 7-6(8).

Sinner, who was up a break in the third, later held two match points in the final set breaker with Medvedev serving 5-6 and 6-7.

The outcome of the match had no bearing on the semifinals or standings, but Medvedev finishes unbeaten in the round robin and ups his win streak to eight overall at the event.

“It was tough,” Medvedev told the crowd. “Mentally it was tough knowing the match was dead. But I did not want to lose my rhythm. I won the first set quite easily and I was like, lets continue this way. The second set was about an hour or so and then it is the third set. But you’re not going to not play the third set because I like to win, I don’t like to lose. I am happy I won.”

The defending champion will now get a day off before taking on the winner of tomorrow’s round robin match between Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud.

“When I know that I am in the next round and I am waiting for my opponent, I watch the match to see how they play,” Medvedev said. “So I am just going to watch it and enjoy it and wait for the winner.”

In the evening, Novak Djokovic will meet Cameron Norrie in a match which is also dead. But points and prize money are at stake.

FRIDAY ATP FINALS SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 11:30 am
[2] R. Ram (USA) / J. Salisbury (GBR) vs [5] J. Cabal (COL) / R. Farah (COL)
Not Before 2:00 pm
[5] A. Rublev (RUS) vs [8] C. Ruud (NOR)

Not Before 6:30 pm
[3] N. Mahut (FRA) / P.-H. Herbert (FRA) vs [7] J. Murray (GBR) / B. Soares (BRA)
Not Before 9:00 pm
[1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs [Alt/10] C. Norrie (GBR)

You Might Like:
2021 ATP Finals – Turin Qualifications
ATP Finals Groups Announced: Medvedev Tries To Defend Title, Djokovic Seeks 6th Crown
2024 ATP Finals Groupings: Alcaraz, Zverev Looking Strong For SFs
Alcaraz, Medvedev, ATP Race Headline 16 Of Top 20 In Basel, Vienna
2024 ATP Finals Field Set With Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev The Favorites