Zverev tops Nadal, sets up Paris Masters final vs. Medvedev

Alexander Zverev vanced to Paris Masters final for first time by beating top-seeded Rafael Nal 6-4, 7-5 on Saturday, denying Nal chance to win a tournament that continues to elude him.

fourth-seeded Zverev faces . 3 Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final, and les him 5-1 in career meetings.

Nal has won 86 titles, including a record-equaling 20 Grand Slams and 35 Masters events, but lost his only final here in 2007 to David Nalbandian.

Serving for match at an empty Bercy Arena because of coronavirus pandemic, imposing Zverev opened with his 13th ace.

He double-faulted on his first match point at 40-0. But on next one, Nal’s forehand down line went wide to give 23-year-old German only his second win in seven matches against Spanish veteran.

Nal was broken to love in third game and dropped opening set for third time in his four matches. Zverev won 78% of points on first serve compared to 60% for Nal and led 9-1 in aces in that set. He clinched it with a sliced shot at net which Nal could t reach.

Zverev broke Nal again in third game of second set.

A frustrated Nal punched his racket he when he failed to convert two break points in sixth game, but held his nerve to save four break points in next game and n finally broke Zverev to make it 4-4.

But an erratic and agitated Nal was conceding too many chances on his serve and, after Zverev broke him for a third time, he sat shaking his he during changeover.

Earlier, Medvedev reached Paris Masters final for first time after beating Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6 (4) in a contest between big servers. He secured win with a smash at net.

10th-seeded Raonic has never won a Masters event and missed out on a second final here, having lost to vak Djokovic in 2014. Canian h 12 aces compared to seven for Medvedev and both players won around 80% of ir points on first serves.

“I don’t think it was best tennis I have played this year, but it was definitely one of best matches,” Medvedev said. “I was playing good in beginning of year, and n re was a stop (because of pandemic).”

Raonic missed a chance in second set when Medvedev saved three break points at 0-40 down in eighth game, but Raonic finally broke him on his fourth break point in 12th game to make it 6-6.

“I think in some key moments he found a way to be a bit more aggressor. He was dictating a bit more, I was trying to change pace up," Raonic said. “He was a lot more efficient at creating his opportunities.”

Medvedev raced into a 4-0 le in tiebreaker and sealed victory on his first match point. 2019 U.S. Open runner-up is seeking his eighth career title and first this year.

(Photo Credit: Twitter/RolexPMasters)