ATP Vienna: Alexander Zverev beats Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals in three sets

In the first set, Alexander Zverev laid the foundation for winning the set against Félix Auger-Aliassime with an early break (2: 1).

In the second round, the 21-year-old Canadian took the serve for 5: 3 from him.

Just as Auger-Aliassime was getting better and better, Zverev also increased the intensity. At 3: 2 in the third set it went seven times before Zverev used his sixth break chance in this game and shortly afterwards turned his second match point after 2:06 hours.

“I actually had the match under control for the first sentence and a half and then I let it go a little on my own,” said Zverev self-critically: “That was of course not good of me. But it was good that I caught myself in the third set and decided the match for me. “

Zverev in Vienna for the first time in the semifinals

In direct duels against Auger-Aliassime it is now 4: 1 for Zverev – in Wimbledon, however, the German had against the Canadian 4: 6, 6: 7 (6: 8), 6: 3, 6: 3, 4: 6 came up short.

Zverev is in Vienna for the first time in the semifinals; In 2013 he failed in the qualification, in 2017 in the quarter-finals against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6: 7, 2: 6).

Alcaraz defeats Berrettini

In the semifinals, the second seeded 24-year-old from Hamburg, who is the big favorite for the title at the 500cc event in the Austrian capital after the exit of Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE / 1), will meet the 18-year-old Spanish shooting star Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Matteo Berrettini (Italy) who was seeded on three after 2:40 hours of playing time 6: 1, 6: 7 (2: 7), 7: 6 (7: 5).

Alcaraz had never reached a semi-finals in a 500 tournament before. The only encounter so far with Alcaraz, who is only 18 years old, was won by Zverev in March in Mexico (6: 3, 6: 1).

“I already said in Acapulco that he will be an incredible player,” said Zverev on “Sky” about the world number 42: “I am not surprised that he came up so quickly because he is an insane player and he will continue to take great strides forward. “

Tiafoe continues triumphant advance

At the event, endowed with 1.8 million euros, Zverev celebrated his 300th victory on the ATP tour on Thursday by winning the round of 16 against de Minaur. In Vienna he is now aiming for his 18th career title on the ATP tour.

Frances Tiafoe is also in the semi-finals. The unseeded American, who had to play his way into the main draw in qualifying, also defeated Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) 6: 4, 7: 6 (8: 6) after Tsitsipas.

In the second set Tiafoe was already 5: 1 in front before Schwartzman played big and took a 6: 5 lead with a break. Tiafoe took the serve from the South American and won the tie-break. In the semifinals, the American meets Jannik Sinner (Italy / No. 7), who knocked out the Norwegian Casper Ruud, who was seeded at four, 7: 5, 6: 1.

Quarter-finals Vienna Open:

Alexander Zverev (GER / 2) – Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN/6) 6:4, 3:6, 6:3
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) – Matteo Berrettini (ITA / 3) 6: 1, 6: 7 (2: 7), 7: 6 (7: 5)
Frances Tiafoe (USA/Q) – Diego Schwartzman (ARG/8) 6:4, 7:6 (8:6)
Jannik Sinner (ITA/7) – Casper Ruud (NOR/4) 7:5, 6:1

(with SID)