Medvedev outlasts Zverev to reach Halle final after 15-month wait

Daniil Medvedev battled past home favourite Alexander Zverev 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final of the ATP tournament in Halle, ending a 15-month wait for a tour-level final. The third seed will face defending champion Alexander Bublik in Sunday’s decider.

Medvedev, 29, held off Zverev in a high-quality baseline duel lasting just under three hours. “It’s been a really long time since I’ve been to the final. I’m happy to be there, I beat an incredibly good player,” said Medvedev. “I am happy with my level, I played great.”

He squandered a break lead and three match points in the second set before regaining composure in the third, breaking for 2-1 and fending off four break points in the next game.

Medvedev now leads their head-to-head 13-7, having won 12 of their last 14 meetings.

Earlier, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik edged Russia’s Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, firing 19 aces and sealing victory on his fourth match point. Bublik, ranked 45, is bidding for a second Halle crown and fifth overall career title.

(Source: AFP)