It was literally a duel at eye level. The two 1.98 metre tall players duelled in a match that lasted almost three hours, which Daniil Medvedev ultimately won 7:6(3), 6:7(1), 6:4. This is the second time since 2022 that the former world number one has reached the final of the grass court tournament in Halle.
The match grew in class and tension as time went on. While the first set was still characterised by factual service games, both players stepped up their game by not only relying on their serve, but also showing more courage to take risks. However, it was only a few rallies in each set that made the difference.
Daniil Medvedev won the first set 7:3 in a tie-break after exactly one hour. Up until the tie-break, both had served excellently, putting their opponents under pressure and mostly scoring points with precise baseline shots. Daniil Medvedev only had one break point in this set. However, Alexander Zverev fended it off brilliantly. In the tie-break, however, the German made some easy mistakes. Daniil Medvedev quickly pulled away to 5:0 and did not let this lead slip away.
d a quick break, the first of the match, to take a 2:0 lead. But then Daniil Medvedev had a brief period of weakness, which Alexander Zverev capitalised on immediately: re-break. From then on, both players served safely until the score was 6:5 in Daniil Medvedev's favour. The German now had to win his service game to at least have a chance of winning the match. However, the world number three faltered but did not fall. Quite the opposite: he fended off three match points and made it into the tie-break, which now went exactly the opposite way to the first. Daniil Medvedev made some easy mistakes, Alexander Zverev scored almost at will: 7:1.
The start of the third set was already promising. Both Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev stepped up their game, increased the pace and took far more risks. Daniil Medvedev was rewarded for this when he managed to break for 2:1. Alexander Zverev had the chance to break back immediately. He missed three chances. Daniil Medvedev then didn't allow any more break chances and converted his fifth match point after two hours and 59 minutes to win 7:6(3), 6:7(1), 6:4.
"I'm super tired and hope that the second game also lasts a long time so that my opponent is also tired in the final. I had a bit of trouble closing out the match, but no matter how, no matter what, it worked out," said an exhausted but also very happy Daniil Medvedev after the match.
