Security forces intervene: Alexander Zverev is massively annoyed before the match point

Security forces intervene Alexander Zverev is massively annoyed before the match point 05.08.2025, 06:25

The crisis seems to be over: Alexander Zverev is in the semifinals of the Masters in Toronto after a hard-fought victory against Alexei Popyrin. However, after losing the first set, the German tennis star needs a moment to regroup.

Tennis star Alexander Zverev didn't let a disruptive fan get him down, reaching the semifinals of the ATP Masters in Toronto. The German number one beat Alexei Popyrin 6-7 (8-10), 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, thus winning his fourth match with the Australian. The Hamburg native will play against Russian Karen Khachanov for a spot in the final.

"After losing the first set, I had to tell myself that we were both playing well," said Zverev, who could celebrate his eighth Masters triumph in Canada: "I felt that if I continued to play well, I would get my chances - and I did. I can't complain about the second and third sets."

Only Djokovic is ahead of Zverev

Zverev's final service game in the third set was repeatedly interrupted by the blunt shouts of a fan. Security guards intervened and escorted the spectator from the stands to the applause of the crowd. After 2:42 hours, the Tokyo Olympic champion converted his first match point to win the match – and waved toward the court where the troublemaker had been sitting moments before. He said, "Bye, bye."

Zverev, seeded number one in the absence of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, received a bye in the first round. He then enjoyed victories against Australian Adam Walton, Italian Matteo Arnaldi, against whom he celebrated his 500th ATP Tour victory, and finally, in the round of 16, against arch-rival Francisco Cerúndolo of Argentina. With the victory against Popyrin, Zverev reached his 75th tour semifinal. Among currently active players, the 28-year-old is the only other player to have reached this milestone, alongside Grand Slam record winner Novak Djokovic.

"Refresher in the head again"

In the first set, Zverev missed two set points in the tiebreak. A net roller decided the set in Popyrin's favor after 71 minutes. "I made one or two too many errors there. The last point was unfortunate, of course," said Zverev. He was able to put his anger over the missed opportunities to rest in the second set. With the first break of the match, Zverev was 3-0 up. But the German was unable to capitalize on his advantage. A weak service game without winning a point at 4-2 brought Popyrin back into the match. The Australian took advantage of Zverev's weak phase and equalized at 4-4. A quick response, however, secured a 6-4 set win after 47 minutes.

Zverev was able to take advantage of the tailwind in the decisive third set. The tournament favorite repeatedly put his opponent under pressure, forcing errors from the Australian. As in the previous set, Zverev broke his opponent's first service game and led 2-0. The German dominated the match, especially from the baseline, leaving Popyrin in despair. Only the distracting spectator annoyed Zverev.

After his first-round exit at Wimbledon, Zverev reported mental issues and took a tournament break in July. However, he now feels "fresher in the head. Maybe I won't play my best tennis in Canada or Cincinnati - but when the US Open starts, I'll be a title contender again," Zverev said a few days ago on the "Nothing Major Show" podcast. His tournament comeback at the Canada Masters serves as preparation for the final Grand Slam tournament of the year in New York, starting on August 24. In 2017, he won the title in Toronto, defeating tennis legend Roger Federer in the final.