Hurkacz defeats Zverev to set up Halle final against Sinner

Hubert Hurkacz of Poland moved one step closer to winning his second Halle Open title on Saturday, defeating home favourite Alexander Zverev 7-6(2) 6-4 to advance to the final against his doubles partner and world number one Jannik Sinner.

Zverev had beaten Hurkacz in their previous three meetings, but the Pole was virtually unstoppable on serve, hitting 17 aces and saving four break points to defeat the German, who finished runner-up at the French Open this month.

"It needed to be really good. He is such a good competitor and is playing good tennis, reaching the final at the French (Open) and playing at a really high level," Hurkacz said.

"I am really confident on my serve, I'm serving really good. There were some moments but I managed to believe in my game and hit some good serves and good shots, so I stayed pretty calm."

"I really love grass. The surface suits my game and the atmosphere here, having the full crowd is incredible."

Zverev, the world's number four, reached the Halle final twice, losing in 2016 and 2017.

Sinner defeated China's 42nd-ranked Zhang Zhizhen 6-4 7-6(3) to reach his first grasscourt final of his career.

While Hurkacz has yet to lose a set in Halle, Sinner battled through three consecutive three-setters before his semi-final as the top seed struggled to adjust to the surface.

"It's going to be very even, he plays so well on this surface. He's won here, he knows this occasion really well," Sinner said on facing Hurkacz in Sunday's final, three days after the pair went out in the doubles quarter-finals in Halle.

"I'm excited, I'm going to enjoy tomorrow. Every time you play a final it's a huge pleasure and honour. He's serving really well, it's very, very tough to break him."

Sinner will be looking to become the first man since Andy Murray in 2016 to win his first event after rising to the top of the rankings.

SportsLigue