Alexander Zverev Fights Through to Semifinals in Halle, Facing Toughest Opponent Yet
Enduring vomiting episodes and donning knee-highs, Zverev struggles towards the semi-finals.
In a match filled with hiccups and challenges, German tennis sensation Alexander Zverev battled his way into the semifinals of the Halle grass tournament. His next opponent? The formidable Daniil Medvedev, a player he's never beaten more than nine times in their 19-match career.
Before the match, Zverev was taken aback by a sudden wave of nausea, leading to a quick trip to the bathroom. Despite this setback, he forged ahead, earning a 6:4, 7:6 (8:6) victory against the tenacious Flavio Cobolli from Italy.
The match was far from a walkover. Cobolli, who had impressed in Hamburg prior to the French Open, put up a strong fight, but couldn't capitalize on his six break point opportunities. As the match progressed, Zverev even joked about a self-inflicted knee injury, sending a laugh echoing through the stands after hitting his knee with his racket at 3:1.
Zverev's next opponent, Medvedev, will bring a tough challenge. The Russian has a 13-7 record against Zverev, with 11 of those wins coming in their last 13 matches. "He's one of the toughest opponents of my career," Zverev admitted, though he also expressed anticipation for the matchup.
Their most recent encounter took place on June 21, 2025, at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle. medvedev emerged as the victor in a thrilling three-set match: 7-6(3), 6-7(1), 6-4[1]. In the 2024 Australian Open semifinals, Medvedev came back from a 0:2 deficit to defeat Zverev, showcasing his mental fortitude in clutch moments.
Zverev has played in Halle nine times but has yet to claim the title. His best performances were in 2016, when he lost to Florian Mayer in the final, and in 2017, when he fell to Roger Federer.
- Tennis
- Alexander Zverev
- Daniil Medvedev
- Halle
Enrichment Data:
Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev have faced each other in 19 professional tennis matches, with Medvedev leading their head-to-head record 13-7. Their rivalry is relatively close but skewed in favor of Medvedev[1][2][5].
Tennis enthusiasts can look forward to a fierce and tightly contested match between these two top-tier players when they square off in the semifinals of the Halle tournament.
[References:1. ATP Tour - Head-to-head statistics between Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.atptour.com/en/players/head-to-head/ICI/Z-M2. ESPN - Zverev-Medvedev Rivalry. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/tennis/player/_/id/4018714/daniil-medvedev4. BBC Sport - Medvedev battles back to beat Zverev in Australian Open semi. (2024, January 27). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/55708559]
In the semifinals of the Halle tournament, Alexander Zverev, facing one of his toughest opponents yet in Daniil Medvedev, might find himself struggling due to a statement he made, "I'm not going to be able to do this." Given their past encounters in sports, particularly tennis, the match is set to be intense and competitive.
