Alexander Zverev had to dig deep to remain on the title defense course at the Paris Masters. World no. 3 prevailed over Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 in two hours and 30 minutes after denying two match points.
The German injured his left leg in the eighth game of the opening set. However, he battled hard and survived the tenth game of the final set before prevailing in the tie break.
Thus, Zverev ousted Medvedev for the eighth time and the first since Cincinnati 2023, which makes his victory even more important. Alexander will face Jannik Sinner in Saturday's semi-final.
The German claimed four points than his rival. Daniil denied six of nine break points and delivered four breaks from ten opportunities, although not in the pivotal moments.
Zverev landed 26 winners and30 unforced errors, while his rival stood on a 34-39 ratio. The better-ranked player had the upper hand from the baseline and at the net, keeping his aggressive approach and emerging at the top.
Alexander had the advantage in the more advanced exchanges. The Russian was off to a reliable start. He missed two break points in the first game of the match before providing a break at 15 at 2-2 to move in front.
Zverev sprayed a backhand error in the seventh game to suffer another break and fall 5-2 behind. The German injured his left leg in the eighth game, although it was nothing serious.
He wasted two break points and allowed Daniil to wrap up the first part of the duel with an ace for 6-2 in 37 minutes. Alexander missed a routine forehand in the first game of the second set to fall behind.
He pulled the break back in the second game and returned to the positive side. The German barely lost a point on serve in the remaining service games. Zverev landed a forehand winner in the eighth game for a break and a 5-3 advantage.
The defending champion hit a service winner in game nine for another fine hold, introducing a decider after an hour and 14 minutes. They traded breaks in games three and four.
Medvedev saved two break points in the fifth game and remained on the positive side. He stepped in on the return at 4-5 and generated two match points. Alexander denied them with winners and got out of jail.
The German held and extended the battle. The encounter went into a deciding tie break, and Zverev led 4-2. He netted a routine smash in the seventh point before drawing the rival's mistake for another mini-break and 5-3.
Daniil landed a volley winner for 5-5 and more drama. Zverev moved 6-5 up with a service winner and welcomed Medvedev's backhand error to seal the deal and reach the semi-final.
