Alejandro Tabilo, Alexander Zverev into Rome semis after straight-set wins

 

[May 16, 2024]  No. 29 seed Alejandro Tabilo isn't ready to end his surprising run in Rome, taking down China's Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 6-4 Wednesday to move on to the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.

The Chilean will face third-seeded German Alexander Zverev, who turned back No. 11 seed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3.

Tabilo, who knocked out the world's No 1 player, Novak Djokovic, in the third round, claimed the only service break in each of the two sets and completed the victory in one hour, 27 minutes.

"I can't believe it right now," he said. "I'm still trying to just soak this in. I'm just so happy. I felt pretty good on court, pretty solid. I was just trying to do my job and play my best tennis."

The left-hander was impressive on his first serves, winning 33 of 40 points, and sealed the victory with his seventh ace of the match.

"It's definitely the best tennis of my life right now," Tabilo said, "but I was trying to keep a poker face there, because inside I was so nervous. ...

"So I was just trying to be loose, trying to smile out there at the end, and thank god I served so well at the end."

Zverev avoided drama, too, outside of a tumble in the third game of the match.

After appearing concerned with his hand or wrist, however, he resumed his high level of play and went on to a straight-sets triumph over Fritz.

"Taylor has been one of the best players on clay this year. To have a win like that is great for me, especially after the fall," Zverev said.

"I still have a little bit of pain, so once the adrenaline settles I'm going to check out tomorrow what it is. But definitely happy with the win."

Zverev was particularly strong with his forehand.

"That's the shot I either win or lose matches with. That's how it's been my entire career ..." he said in his on-court interview. "That's definitely the shot I've been working the most on in my career, also my serve obviously."

Zverev delivered six aces and won 77 percent (37/48) of his first-serve points to Fritz's 62 percent (34/55).

Fritz had 10 unforced errors to Zverev's four in the 90-minute match.

Thursday brings the other pair of quarterfinal matches as 14th-seeded Tommy Paul faces No. 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, and Greek No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on No. 21 Nicolas Jarry of Chile.

--Field Level Media

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