HAMBURG/STARNBERG, July 19, 2024
Alexander Zverev leads the semi-finals line-up of the 2024 Hamburg Open. The defending champion and top seed of the ATP 500 clay-court tournament defeated Zhizhen Zhang of China 6-4, 6-3 on Friday afternoon at the Rothenbaum Tennis Complex.
Zverev, who had to overcome a tricky opponent in his match against Frenchman Hugo Gaston yesterday, was in control of today’s encounter right from the beginning and dictated most of the rallies. The World No. 4 struck 10 aces, won 88 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival three times to prevail after one hour and six minutes.
Title defence continues 💪
No.1 seed Zverev defeats Zhang 6-4 6-3 to reach his 4th #HamburgOpen semi-final 👏 pic.twitter.com/dItLZlQPVm
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) July 19, 2024
“It was a completely different match today compared to yesterday but I played at a higher level today,” Zverev said in his post-match press conference and added about his physical condition:
“I felt good today, right from the moment when I got up this morning. My knee is getting better and better every day and I hope that I will not feel anything in Paris. It’s getting into the right direction.
Zverev will next take on Pedro Martinez of Spain, who fought past No. 4 seed Francisco Cerundolo from Argentina 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the stage of the last four at an ATP 500 event for the first time. Martinez, 27, converted four of his five break-point chances to secure victory in one hour and 56 minutes.
Baez records 23rd match win on clay this season
Earlier in the day, Sebastian Baez also had to come back from a set down to outlast No. 7 seed Luciano Darderi from Italy 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. The third-seeded Argentine sent down six aces and won 69 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after two hours and 17 minutes.
Master of his craft 🇦🇷
A Tour-leading 23rd victory on clay in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ with 2-6 6-4 6-4 🆚 Darderi 🔜 SFs@hamburgopenatp | #HamburgOpenATP500 pic.twitter.com/tABoa95Vcn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 19, 2024
“At the beginning of the match, I was too nervous. Then I started to hit more winners,” Baez said in his post-match press conference. “I work very hard with my team. When you win, it feels easier,” he explained and added that it is important to keep working on your game, mental state, and physical condition even after losses.
“That’s the biggest difference between the top players and the rest,” said the World No. 19, who feels very comfortable in Hamburg. “I felt the same way last year, but then I had a tougher draw with Casper Ruud.”
Baez will next play French youngster Arthur Fils. The 20-year-old benefited from the retirement of No. 2 seed Holger Rune of Denmark. Fils was leading 6-4, 4-1 when Rune was forced to stop playing due to a knee injury.
