Alexander Zverev failed in the quarterfinals in Vienna against Andrey Rublev – a setback in the battle for the ATP Finals.

After another failed forehand shot at Wiener Stadtthal, Alexander Zverev waved it off in surrender.

The tennis ball sailed past his friend Andrey Rublev and also crossed the court. Zverev’s bid for his second ATP Tour victory in the Austrian capital ended after 2021. In the quarterfinals, the Olympic champion lost 1:6, 7:6 (7:5), 3:6.

Zverev had previously won seven straight matches in Vienna – and this year also won the Austrian crowd to his side. But now Rublev is once again the last stop for the German top seed, who was unable to defend her title last year due to an ankle injury she suffered at the French Open.

Zverev had already failed against the Russian in Dubai and Bastad, which was the third defeat in the third meeting this season. Rublev will now face Italian Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, who beat Frances Tiafoe (USA) 6:3, 6:4 p.m.

Once again Rublev turned out to be more than equal. Zverev could not handle the speed of the return to No. 5 in the world rankings and the result was two breaks. The 26-year-old from Hamburg struggled with his forehand and lost his first set at this year’s tournament.

Zverev fought back in the second round and took the tie-break with an ace, but Rublev, seeded third, fought off his third break of the decider – and won after a grueling 2.32 hours, thanks to Zverev’s many forehands. mistakes.

Zverev, listed fifth in Vienna, also missed the chance to collect more points ahead of the ATP season final in Turin. After all, his pursuers Taylor Fritz (USA) and Casper Ruud (Norway) failed in the tournament held at the same time in Basel.