Taylor Fritz overcame a set deficit on Saturday to defeat French Open champion Alexander Zverev 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5, securing his place in the ATP final on the grass in Halle. This victory extends the American's remarkable winning streak against the world No.3 and top seed to seven consecutive matches, improving his head-to-head record against Zverev to 10-5.
Fritz Reaches 22nd ATP Final
In Sunday's final, the 28-year-old Fritz will aim for his 11th career title and his sixth on grass when he faces compatriot Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe advanced by beating German wildcard Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-3 in the other semifinal. This will be Fritz's 22nd ATP final and his third this season, though he is still seeking his first title of the year.
Zverev's Heat Struggles
Zverev started strong, breaking Fritz to lead 3-1, but then struggled in the heat. At 4-3 (40/40) on Fritz's serve, Zverev left the court for a medical timeout. After a brief interruption, he regained enough energy to take the opening set in a tie-break. However, weakened by the heat, he dropped his serve at the end of the second set, allowing Fritz to level the match. The pattern repeated in the deciding set, with Fritz breaking Zverev before a potential tie-break to close out the match.
Grass Court Specialist
Fritz's last three trophies have all come on grass, his favorite surface: at Eastbourne and Stuttgart in 2025, and at Eastbourne in 2024. Last year, he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon. The Halle final will feature the first all-American finalists since Mardy Fish in 2004. "I thought it was really good today," said Tiafoe, a former US Open semifinalist. "It could have been a different match when I played a loose game at 3-2 in the second set, but I got a hold there and kept the momentum."
