Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur will face each other in the final of the Erste Bank Open 2026, guaranteeing a first-time champion for the ATP 500 event in Vienna. The Spanish world number three secured his spot by defeating Daniil Medvedev, while the Australian world number 10 ousted top seed Alexander Zverev in a three-set thriller. The final is scheduled for Sunday at 14:00 local time (13:00 UTC) and will be broadcast live on ServusTV.
Alcaraz Advances Without Dropping a Set
Carlos Alcaraz reached his first Vienna final without dropping a set, overcoming fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6(2). The match, which lasted one hour and 36 minutes, showcased Alcaraz’s dominance on the Wiener Stadthalle’s Centre Court, which was sold out with 9,800 fans. Alcaraz broke Medvedev to secure the first set and controlled the tiebreak to seal the victory.
“I remember 2021. I will be ready for this match and will definitely enjoy it, because reaching a final is always something special.”
De Minaur Outlasts Zverev in Marathon
In the other semifinal, Alex de Minaur claimed a hard-fought 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) victory over second-ranked Alexander Zverev after two hours and 31 minutes. De Minaur, who had reached the semifinal in Vienna the past two years, finally broke through to the final. He seized an early 3-0 lead in the decisive tiebreak before closing out the match on his third match point.
“I stayed very calm, even though I made a few double faults in the tiebreak,” de Minaur stated. I think that made the difference today.” The win marked de Minaur’s fifth victory in his 14th career meeting with Zverev.”
A Premierensieger is Assured
The upcoming final is historic for the tournament as it guarantees a new champion. Neither Alcaraz nor de Minaur has previously won the title in Vienna. This outcome was solidified after de Minaur’s victory over Zverev, the top seed.
Turnierdirektor Herwig Straka expressed his satisfaction with the tournament’s outcome, according to the Oberösterreichische Nachrichten. The wildcard given to Alcaraz, secured just a week and a half before the event began following the cancellation of the “Six Kings Slam,” has proven to be a major success. “Naturally, I hope that Alcaraz will come back next year,” Straka said, noting that the event received high praise from organizers of prestigious Masters 1000 tournaments in Miami and Madrid.
Medvedev’s Frustration with Court Conditions
Daniil Medvedev, despite his strong run to the semifinals, expressed his discontent with the playing conditions in Vienna. The Russian, a former world number one, described the court as “extremely slow” and compared it to a sand surface, which he dislikes.
“It’s a bit like on a sand court, you have to develop the rallies and I don’t like that so much,” Medvedev said in an interview with ServusTV, as reported by SportNews.bz. He also noted that he arrived in Vienna only on Monday from Almaty, which may have affected his stamina during the tournament.
Straka Reveals Plans to Shorten Tennis Season
All eyes are now on the Sunday final between Alcaraz and de Minaur.
Looking ahead, Straka, who is also a member of the ATP Board of Directors, revealed that discussions are underway to shorten the tennis season. “The season is too long. We are working to shorten it,” he stated, mentioning a proposal to start the season two weeks later to allow for an eight-week off-season. This decision is expected to be finalized at the ATP Finals in Turin in two weeks.
When and Where Can I Watch the Final
- Who is guaranteed to win the Erste Bank Open 2026?
- Neither Carlos Alcaraz nor Alex de Minaur has won the tournament before, so the 2026 champion will be a first-time winner.
- When and where can I watch the final?
- The final was held on Sunday, October 30, 2026, at 14:00 local time (13:00 UTC) in the Wiener Stadthalle and broadcast live on ServusTV.
- What did Turnierdirektor Herwig Straka say about the future of the tournament?
- Straka hopes Alcaraz will return and mentioned that discussions are happening to shorten the tennis season, possibly by starting it two weeks later to create an eight-week off-season.
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