Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev reach semis in Dubai Open

 DUBAI: Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev stormed into the semifinals of the ATP500 Dubai Tennis Championship on Thursday. Top seed Djokovic thrashed fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 7-5 in the third quarterfinal after Zverev’s win over Lorenzo Sonego.

The 7th seed Zverev defeated World No. 67 Sonego of Italy 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 52 minutes to secure his place in the last four stage.

He reached the last-four stage of a tour-level for the first time since he tore three ligaments in his right ankle during last year’s French Open semifinal against eventual champion Rafael Nadal.

Former World No. 2 Zverev broke Sonego once in the 11th game of the first set and fifth game of the second set while saving all six break points he faced on his own serve.

“It’s been a very difficult time for me over, I would say, the last nine months,” said Zverev in his on-court interview, as per atptour.com. “I haven’t played tennis at all for such a long period for the first time in my life. It definitely shows that the hard work is paying off and I’m extremely happy with my progress and how I’m playing right now.

Zverev, who is playing in Dubai for only the second time in his career, next faces defending champion Andrey Rublev of Russia who beat Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 7-6(3) in their quarterfinal. Agencies

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