Taylor Fritz’s impressive form on the grass courts continued as he fought back to beat French Open champion Alexander Zverev and reach the final in Halle.
Germany’s Zverev won his first major singles title at Roland Garros earlier this month and was on an 10 match winning streak, but struggled physically in scorching hot conditions and needed medical treatment throughout the match.
Fritz remained steady to rally from a set down to beat his hampered opponent 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-5 and reach a second successive grass-court final.
The American backed up his quarter-final win over third seed Ben Shelton – who beat him in the Stuttgart final last week – with another top five victory, while also extending his winning run against world number three Zverev to seven matches.
“I felt he was struggling with something, I’m not sure what it was – presumably how insanely hot it was,” Fritz said.
“I felt better than he did, so that was what I needed to tell myself to go to work.”
Fritz will face compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the Halle showpiece after the American beat home hope Daniel Altmaier 6-1 6-3.
“I knew going into this week that the field was crazy,” said Fritz, who is into his fifth ATP 500 final.
“I saw the draw when it came out and I was not even a top four seed in a week where Novak [Djokovic], Carlos [Alcaraz] and [Jannik] Sinner are not even playing. It’s crazy.
“Regardless, if I am playing well on grass I don’t think the strength of field matters.”
