VIENNA/STARNBERG, October 30, 2021
Alexander Zverev and Frances Tiafoe will compete in Sunday’s singles final at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. The No. 2 seed from Germany ended the run of Spanish #NextGenATP star Carlos Alcaraz, winning 6-3, 6-3 at the Stadthalle on Saturday afternoon.
Zverev struck eight aces, saved the only break point he faced and capitalized on three of his own four chances to advance after one hour and eight minutes.
A masterclass performance from @AlexZverev 👏
The No. 2 seed dismisses Alcaraz 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final. #ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/YQSaT4oUtk
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 30, 2021
“I finally found my rhythm from the baseline because I was really struggling,” Zverev said. “I didn’t feel the ball well and I spent some time on the court after the match yesterday and warmed up for an hour and a half before the match today and I finally got it.”
Remarkable comeback by Tiafoe
Later in the day, Tiafoe rallied past No. 7 seed Jannik Sinner of Italy 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. The US-American qualifier came back from a set and 2-5 down, winning 52 per cent of the total points played to prevail after two hours and 18 minutes.
Do you believe in miracles? Comeback of the year from @FTiafoe!
🎥: @TennisTV | #ErsteBankOpenpic.twitter.com/pLcWyGG4ll
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 30, 2021
“It has been a long week for me,” said Tiafoe, who is making his second appearance in Vienna. “I tried to have fun with it and get the crowd involved and could see if he would get a little nervous. I know how to get the crowd behind me, few jokes and that and then I started to play unbelievably. The crowd made the difference. I felt because of them I started to lock in harder.”
Zverev bids to win his fifth title of the season, having also triumphed in Acapulco, Madrid and Cincinnati, as well as at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Tiafoe reached his third ATP Tour career final and his first since the Estoril Open in May 2018. The World No. 49 from Florida is seeking his second trophy following his triumph on home soil at the 2018 Delray Beach Open.
Zverev leads the pair’s head-to-head record 5-1.
