PARIS (AP) — 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, finalist here in 2020, will then face 2018 champion Karen Khachanov or Frenchman Ugo Humbert, 15th seed.
Victory on Sunday would give Zverev a seventh Masters title and also move him past top-ranked Jannik Sinner for the most wins on the ATP Tour this year. They are tied at 65.
Rune saved a match point with a brilliant crosscourt forehand, but third-seeded Zverev kept his composure on the next ball with a crisp backhand volley to the net.
“I feel like I made it a little difficult for myself but he’s a champion. It’s probably his favorite tournament and venue,” the 27-year-old Zverev said. “I’m happy to play my second final here, I’m looking forward to it.”
Zverev was especially in control against Rune in their fourth career meeting and the first on indoor hard courts. THE Roland-Garros finalist improved to 3-1 on aggregate against his rival, who won the 2022 Paris Masters by stunning Novak Djokovic in the final.
Rune saved a break point in his first service game as he struggled from the back of the court.
Zverev broke him in the fourth game when Rune’s two-handed backhand came out, and he held serve for a 4-1 lead in a commanding first set, winning it when his opponent came back long.
He broke the 13th-seeded Danish player to serve for the first time in the match at 5-4, but Rune fought back immediately.
A long 11th game saw both players miss chances and there was a sixth tie before Rune finally won it with a backhand volley to the net.
That was the end of his resistance and Zverev was calm in his next service game and in the tiebreaker.
The German, with a big serve, is aiming for his second title of the year and his 23rd in the general ranking.
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