Paris Masters: Zverev into semi-finals, saving two match points against Medvedev
Alexander Zverev edged out Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) on Friday evening. The defending champion will play Italian Jannik Sinner in semifinal for a Vienna final replay.
Zverev – Medvedev, Rolex Paris Masters 2025 | © Ch. Caillaud / PsNewz
The quarterfinals of the Rolex Paris Masters concluded with a fierce battle, the 22nd (!) on the Tour between the two heavyweights who were looking to brighten their 2025 season with a major performance at La Défense Arena.
At the end of this 2-hour, 32-minute duel that was decided on the last two points, the German Alexander Zverev, the No. 3 seed, defeated the Russian Daniil Medvedev, the No. 11 seed, in three sets (2-6, 6-3, 7-6 [5]). The semifinals are set : it will be Auger-Aliassime – Bublik at 2 pm CET and Zverev – Sinner at 5 pm?.
Zverev notably saved two match points on his serve at 5-4 in the third set. One was a service winner, the other came when he took his chance with an aggressive backhand return off a very soft second serve clocked at 131 km/h (81 mph).
“The way I did it, I’m very proud of myself in a way, Zverev said after the match. I continued being brave even when I was down match points, even when I was in difficult situations. I continued going for my shots.
It was a very, very physical match, full of long rallies. “
Medvedev seemed to have a firm grip on the match after winning the first set 6-2. Curiously, a fall just before the end of that set, which raised concerns about a thigh injury, appeared to swing the momentum back to Zverev, who went on to take the second set 6-3.
In a highly intense clash between two players who know each other intimately, Medvedev relied on his powerful first serve, a certain creativity (particularly with some excellent drop shots), and his renewed fighting spirit to maintain the impression of a slight advantage.
Medvedev’s small regret ?
However, as Zverev looked to be faltering on his forehand at 5-4 in the decider, Medvedev will likely regret exposing himself to the German’s more reliable backhand on his second match point.
Zverev, the defending champion and World No. 3, will face the Italian Jannik Sinner, the No. 2 seed, in the semi-finals of the Parisian tournament. This matchup will be a rematch of the Vienna final lost just six days ago in three sets, 7-5 in the third.
“I’m gonna definitely carry some tiredness, there, Zverev said. So I hope I’ll be I’ll be fresh enough. Jannik has been kind of walking through the draw, and I had some tough matches, so we’ll see where I am physically tomorrow.”
Zverev is clinging on in his defense of the Paris title. Before dominating the Spanish player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the No. 15 seed (6-2, 6-4), he had needed three sets to overcome the Argentinian Camilo Ugo Carabelli (6-7 [5], 6-1, 7-5).
Medvedev, who had returned very close to his best level, sees his chances of playing in the ATP Finals end with this result.
The Russian had eliminated the Italian Lorenzo Sonego (3-6, 7-6 [5], 6-4), the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (walkover), and the Spaniard Jaume Munar (6-1, 6-3) ten days after returning to winning ways at the Almaty tournament.
Paris Masters 1000, other last eight results (La Défense Arena, hard, EUR 6.128.940, most recent results first):
- Jannik Sinner beat Ben Shelton (5): 6-3, 6-3
- Alexander Bublik (13) beat Alex De Minaur (6): 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-5
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (9) beat Valentin Vacherot (WC): 6-2, 6-2
