Zverev returns to a final after more than a year

Alexander Zverev reached his first ATP final since May, 2022, as the German moved into Sunday’s title match at his hometown Hamburg event.

Zverev, once a Top 10 regular, currently ranks 19 after missing the second half of last season after a serious ankle injury at Roland Garros.

He will take on Laslo Djere for the Hamburg title after eliminating teenaged French newcomer Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4; Serb Djere booked his spot by beating China’s Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 6-2.

Zverev improved to 32-18 during this comeback season , which has included semis in Dubai, Geneva,  Roland Garros, and Halle. 

Fils had made his name this week by toppling top seed Casper Ruud; but the youngster ran out of luck as he played Zverev.

“I knew that me and Casper have very different game styles,” Zverev said.

“I knew that I had to play a lot quicker and a lot flatter in a way. I did that well today, I feel like.”

Zverev played his last final in Madrid 14 months ago and lifted his most recent title at the year-end championships, 2021.

He is bidding to become he fist German since Michael Stich (1993) to claim Hamburg honours.

Zverev broke on three of four occasions, saving all three break points against his  own serve on the local clay of the Rothenbaum club.