The German Alexander Zverev, world No.3, qualified for the final of the Masters 1000 in Paris by dominating world No.13 Holger Rune 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) in less than two hours on Saturday .
In the final on Sunday (3:00 p.m.), Zverev will face the French Ugo Humbert (18th) or the Russian Karen Khachanov (21st), opposed in the second semi-final. The 26-year-old German is already assured of dislodging Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz from second place in the world on Monday and thus equaling the best ranking of his career.
Jannik Sinner's place as runner-up (1ᵉʳ) is “a fantastic bonus” for the German. “But at the end of the day, I'm playing a Masters 1000, a very prestigious tournament, that's why I play” more than for the No. 2 place, he confided on Friday.
The Hamburg giant, defeated in the final of the Paris Masters 1000 by Daniil Medvedev in 2020, nevertheless equals the best ranking of his career at 27, reached in June 2022.
“This is my second final in Paris this year”he rejoiced on the court, a few months after the one lost at Roland-Garros in the spring against Alcaraz.
On center court, Zverev was never really threatened by his opponent, winner of the tournament in 2022.
The German barely conceded a break in the second set to let Rune return to 5 games all. Zverev, however, quickly recovered to win the tie-break 7-4.
The Dane's defeat buries his last hopes of participating in the Turin Masters (November 10-17), which will bring together the eight best players of the season.
The name of the first finalist known, the spotlight is now on Ugo Humbert (18th), about to play his first semi-final in the Masters 1000 on Saturday afternoon, the most prestigious tournament category after the 4 Grand Slams.
Facing the left-hander from Metz stands Karen Khachanov (21st), quick winner of Grigor Dimitrov (9th) Friday in the quarter-finals: 6-2, 6-3 in one hour.
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