Alexander Zverev sets up Italian Open clash with Rafael Nadal
Alexander Zverev remains on course to retain his Italian Open crown after reaching the final with a two-set win over Marin Cilic.
The defending champion edged two tight sets against Cilic in the semi-final, winning 7-6, (15-13), 7-5 in just over two hours to set up a final date against seven-time Rome winner Rafael Nadal.
13 consecutive wins, and 30 for the season!
💪🙌
Alexander Zverev storms into the #ibi18 final with a 7-6(13) 7-5 win over Marin Cilic. pic.twitter.com/gZT4hbddQI
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 19, 2018
There were no breaks of serve in the first set while the Croat broke in the opening game of the second set before Zverev hit back in game eight while the decisive break came in game 13.
“It was very tough. It’s always tough playing Marin. He’s one of the best players on Tour right now,” Zverev told ATPWorldTour.com. “He knows what it takes to win the big matches in the big moments so I had to play my best to get the win today.”
The German is looking for a hat-trick of titles after winning the BMW Open in Munich a fortnight ago and the Madrid Open last week.
Latest
-
NewsSimona Halep confident she can cope with weather as she prepares for French Open
Halep is the top seed and title favourite.
-
NewsAndy Murray finds humour in French Open rematch with Stan Wawrinka
Murray is playing at Roland Garros for the first time since a brutal semi-final against Wawrinka in 2017.
-
French OpenQ&A with tennis legend Chris Evert as she picks her French Open winners
Eurosport tennis expert and seven-time Roland-Garros champion Chris Evert has previewed the upcoming Roland Garros
-
French OpenJohn McEnroe on the challenges of playing on the red clay as he picks a French Open winner
John McEnroe believes Rafael Nadal will face fresh challenges in at the French Open this summer
-
NewsRoland Garros sees fan numbers slashed to just 1,000 per day due to coronavirus spike
French Open succumbs to Covid-19 resurgence.
-
NewsLondon’s O2 Arena absorbs loss of ATP Finals by hosting 2022 edition of Laver Cup
Top level tennis returning to O2.
-
Tennis NewsDominic Thiem gets nightmare Roland Garros draw with FOUR Grand Slam winners possibly awaiting him
Austrian may have to do it the hard way.
-
Kevin PalmerCOMMENT: The sporting fates have dreamed up perfect story for Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka
What do the sporting gods have in store?
-
NewsAndy Murray to play old foe Stan Wawrinka in first round of French Open
Draw throws up remarkable twist of fate.
-
NewsLiam Broady thanks Andy Murray after qualifying for French Open for first time
Broady grateful to legend.