Zverev beats former champion Rune to set up Paris Masters final against Khachanov or Humbert
Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts after winning the semifinal match of the Paris Masters tennis tournament against Denmark's Holger Runeat at the Accor Arena on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Paris. Credit: AP/Thibault Camus
PARIS — Alexander Zverev reached the Paris Masters final for the second time after beating former champion Holger Rune 6-3, 7-6 (4) on Saturday.
Zverev, a runner-up here in 2020, next plays 2018 champion Karen Khachanov or 15th-seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
Rune saved one match point with a brilliant cross-court forehand winner, but the third-seeded Zverev held his nerve on the next with a crisp backhand volley at the net.
Zverev was mostly in control against Rune in their fourth career meeting and first on indoor hard courts. The French Open runner-up improved to 3-1 overall against his rival, who won the Paris Masters in 2022 by stunning Novak Djokovic in the final.
Rune saved a break point in his opening service game as he struggled from the back of the court.
Zverev broke him in the fourth game when Rune's two-handed backhand went out, and he held serve for a 4-1 lead in a commanding first set, clinching it when his opponent returned long.
He broke the 13th-seeded Danish player to serve for the match for the first time at 5-4, but Rune broke straight back.
Germany's Alexander Zverev reacts during the semifinal match of the Paris Masters tennis tournament against Denmark's Holger Rune at the Accor Arena on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Paris. Credit: AP/Thibault Camus
A long 11th game saw both players miss chances and it went to a sixth deuce before Rune finally won it with a backhand volley at the net.
That was the end of his resistance and Zverev was untroubled in his next service game and in the tiebreaker.
The big-serving German is bidding for his second title of the year and 23rd overall.
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