Hurkacz ousts Zverev and reaches the Halle final

Second-seeded German Alexander Zverev fell in straight sets to Pole Hubert Hurkacz in the semi-finals of the Halle grass court tournament on Saturday.

Hurkacz won 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 in one hour and 33 minutes and will next play world number one Jannik Sinner or China’s Zhang Zhizhen for the title in the warm-up ahead of Wimbledon .

The fifth-seeded Pole, winner in Halle two years ago, will try to win his second title of the season after winning on clay in Estoril in April.

“I’m really confident in my serve,” said Hurkacz, who fired 17 aces, including 13 in the first set, and saved all four break points he faced.

“It had to be really good,” Hurkacz said after his first win over Zverev in four meetings, most recently a three-set defeat in the final of the United Cup, a mixed team event ahead of the Australian Open in Sydney.

“That match was kind of in the back of my mind,” Hurkacz said.

‘I thought, OK, not today.

“He is such a good competitor and plays good tennis, reaching the final at the French (Open) and playing at a very high level.”

The 27-year-old Hurkacz will aim for his ninth ATP Tour title.

“I really like grass,” said Hurkacz, the 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist. “The surface suits my game and the atmosphere here. It’s incredible to have the full crowd.” (AFP)