Alexander Zverev is the first finalist of the Erste Bank Open, endowed with a total of 2.09 million euros, in the Wiener Stadthalle. The number two seeded German stopped the successful run of Spain’s only 18-year-old young star Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday with a smooth 6: 3 6: 3 after the second match point in just 68 minutes.
In the final for the 275,000 euro check, the Olympic champion either has to deal with qualifier Frances Tiafoe (USA) or the Italian Jannik Sinner, who had the upper hand against the Austrian Dennis Novak in the round of 16.
Zverev’s match plan worked. “I knew I had to take the time away from him. He’s someone who plays very aggressively and who can play extremely quickly with his forehand, I have to take that away, ”said Zverev. He succeeded in doing this well in his service games as well as in aggressive games as a setback.
Alcaraz could have chosen himself as the youngest finalist in Vienna at all or in the history of the ATP 500 tournament series, but he was far from that on Saturday. Zverev acted too dominantly, who, like a few months ago in Acapulco, was still a size too big for the 18-year-old. Breaks to 4: 3 and 6: 3 in the first and 4: 2 in the second set quickly sealed the one-way street on which this match was.
Blatant increase
For Zverev, Sunday is about his fifth title this year after Acapulco, Madrid, the Olympic Games and Cincinnati. The increase on Saturday compared to the previous week in Vienna was striking.
“That was the best match I played this week. I haven’t played so well all week. I had extreme problems from the baseline, today I warmed up for an hour and a half and finally found my rhythm. I hope it stays that way for tomorrow, ”said Zverev.
ATP 500 tournament in Vienna
(Austria, EUR 1.974 million, hard court / hall)
