Halle Open: Zverev defeats Cobolli to set up last-four meeting with Medvedev

Alexander Zverev, the second seed, reached the semi-finals of the Halle Open by winning against Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 7-6 (6) at the Owl Arena/Gerry-Weber-Stadion.

The German was too strong for the in-form Cobolli, clinching the opening set with a single break of serve before a tight and tense second stanza followed.

But Zverev was able to edge that one too, sealing the win after a closely fought tiebreak to set up an intriguing encounter against old rival Daniil Medvedev, the No 3 seed, next.

“I started well, I felt good, and then I suddenly felt sick. I went to throw up and 20 minutes later I felt better,” Zverev said after the match.

“I don’t know what happened to me, but I played well today and I’m happy to be in the semi-finals. Daniil? I think he’s the player I’ve faced the most in my career. He’s a very dangerous opponent, I’m looking forward to it.”

The German defeated American Marcos Giron (6-2, 6-1) and edged out Italian Lorenzo Sonego (3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2)) in the previous rounds of the Halle tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Cobolli, ranked No 24, edged out Brazilian wildcard Joao Fonseca (5-7, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8)) and Canadian Denis Shapovalov (7-6 (2), 4-6, 7-6 (5)).

Halle ATP 500, other last-eight results (Owl Arena/Gerry-Weber-Stadion, grass, EUR 2.522.220, most recent results first):

• Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs. Karen Khachanov
• Alexander Bublik vs. Tomas Machac
• Daniil Medvedev beat Alex Michelsen: 6-4, 6-3