Alexander Zverev sets up semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic

TURIN: Alexander Zverev booked his place in the last four of the ATP Finals where he will face world number one Novak Djokovic after a 6-2 6-4 win over Hubert Hurkacz in Turin on Thursday.

The German closed out the match in one hour and two minutes, the fastest of the tournament so far, and joins defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals from the Red Group.

Zverev was looking to make a statement in Turin, having won via a retirement in his first match against injured Matteo Berrettini before losing in three sets to Medvedev on Tuesday.

The 2018 champion certainly made his intentions clear in the first set against Hurkacz, breaking the Pole in the first game and racing to a 4-0 lead. It took Zverev only 27 minutes to seal the set 6-2.However, Hurkacz was not in the mood to leave his first Finals so quickly and recovered his service game to keep the score level in the second.

He might even have had a chance for a break point at 3-2, when Zverev put a first serve out on 40-40. However, the line judge missed it and the 24-year-old Hurkacz did not challenge.

Hurkacz then hit a number of wayward forehands to hand Zverev a crucial break to lead 5-4, from which the German served out the match to set up a clash with Djokovic who he beat in the final of the 2018 tournament.

On Wednesday night, World No. 8 Casper Ruud admitted Cameron Norrie was the better player for the first set and a half but he glad that he managed to find a way to turn around the match and claim a win. Ruud, who has won five ATP titles this year, recovered from a set down to beat Norrie 1-6 6-3 6-4. Agencies

Also Read: Roger Federer is very important for our sport, says Novak Djokovic

Also Watch: