Crowd favourite Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the BMW Open by Bitpanda with the help of the spectators
Ben Shelton in the semi-finals for the first time in Munich
Top seeds Alfie Hewett and Gustavo Fernandez in the final of the Allianz Para Trophy
What an atmosphere, what a victory for Alexander Zverev! With the support of more than 6,000 spectators on the packed centre court, the crowd favourite made it through to the semi-finals of the BMW Open by Bitpanda after an intense and close match against Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands.
The first set was even, neither player managed a break and so this round had to be decided in a tie-break. This was also close before Tallon Griekspoor, the world number 37, spectacularly converted his second set point.
Alexander Zverev was still slumping his shoulders at this point and conceded the first break of the match right at the start of the second set - but the world number three was able to equalise at 5:5. The crowd on centre court went crazy and Zverev finally shook his fist and won the second set in the tie-break. "I was pretty mentally exhausted," he said on court after the match, "but you all supported me so well, the atmosphere was just great.
Zverev fought back in the third set, cheered himself on and got the decisive break to make it 4:3, but Tallon Griekspoor didn't let up - the Dutchman was able to fend off the first three match points, but Alexander Zverev then converted the fourth with a service winner to make it 6:4. He is now back in the semi-finals in Munich for the first time since his victory at the BMW Open 2018.
Ben Shelton from the USA did the same after an entertaining match against Luciano Darderi from Italy. Both battled for every ball, delivering exciting rallies with lots of stops and lobs, much to the delight of the crowd on the sold-out centre court. A break was enough for Shelton to take the first set 6:4, and he had to surrender his serve once in the second, but then managed to prevail in two sets (6:4: 6:3). Ben Shelton converted his third match point with an ace and moved straight into the semi-finals on his debut in Munich. Afterwards, he thanked the spectators and was a little envious of their thick jackets: "I live in Florida," he said, "and I'm not used to temperatures like this. But I still had a lot of fun." He is looking forward to his opponent in the semi-finals, Francisco Cerundolo from Argentina: "He plays well on all surfaces, but especially on clay, of course. And he has a massive forehand".
The German doubles final can no longer happen. Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner created a great atmosphere on Court 1, but lost in two sets to Andre Goransson (SWE) and Sem Verbeek (NED) (1:6; 6:7). The doubles winners from 2022, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz, will play Sander Gille (BEL) and Jan Zielinski (POL) on Saturday for a place in the final.
As expected, the two top favourites prevailed on the second matchday of the Allianz Para Trophy. World No. 1 Alfie Hewett beat Joachim Gerard 6:3, 6:1, while Gustavo Fernandez (world No. 4) won 7:6, 6:0 against Gaetan Menguy after a close exchange of blows in the first set and a clear affair in the second. Tomorrow's final between the two stars will be a repeat of the final of the very first Allianz Para Trophy four years ago. At that time with the better outcome in favour of the Argentinian Fernandez.
Photo note: The attached photos can be used free of charge for editorial purposes in connection with the BMW Open by Bitpanda. Credit: "BMW Open by Bitpanda"