ZCZC
BSP-14
TENNIS-ATP-FRA-ZVEREV
Zverev beats Wawrinka to set up Nadal semi-final
PARIS, Nov 7, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Alexander Zverev battled past Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the Paris Masters quarter-finals on Friday and will face Rafael Nadal in the last four.
The 23-year-old German, who is seeking a third straight title after back-to-back victories on home soil in Cologne, edged out Wawrinka 6-3, 7-6 (7/1).
“From my side I thought it was a pretty good match,” said Zverev.
“Definitely happy to be in the semis and it’ll be an interesting one tomorrow (Saturday against Nadal)… A lot of people are looking forward to that and I am too.”
Fourth seed Zverev has won 11 consecutive matches since losing in the French Open last 16 to Italian youngster Jannik Sinner.
He has a 5-1 losing record against Nadal, but won their last meeting at last year’s ATP Tour Finals, which was also played on an indoor hard court.
Wawrinka looked to be building momentum in the second set, but his level dropped when he served to force a decider in the 10th game and Zverev broke before easing through a one-sided tie-break.
BSS/AFP/AU/17:15 hrs