Alex de Minaur secured a significant victory at the Vienna Open on Saturday by defeating world No. 1-elect Alexander Zverev in a tightly contested semifinal match. The Australian player overcame Zverev 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4) at the Wiener Stadthalle, advancing to the tournament final where he will face Carlos Alcaraz.
De Minaur’s win was highlighted by a strong performance in the decisive tiebreaker, where he maintained composure despite double faults and applied relentless pressure on the two-time Grand Slam champion. The victory marked De Minaur’s first individual tournament win over Zverev, having previously only beaten the German in team events and the Laver Cup exhibition.
“I’m super proud, super stoked of how I handled the moment,” De Minaur said following the match. He acknowledged a dip in his serve during the second set but noted his aggressive approach in the final set’s tiebreak proved decisive. “I was going to go out swinging and playing the right type of tennis, and that’s what made the difference today,” he added.
The outcome has added extra significance as it improved De Minaur’s standing in the ATP race for the year-end ATP Finals. With the Paris Masters set as the final qualifying event next week, the win pushes De Minaur closer to securing a spot among the top eight qualifiers. A victory in the final against Alcaraz would elevate him from No. 10 to No. 7 in the world rankings.
Throughout the match, De Minaur exhibited high intensity and tenacity, delivering 25 winners while preventing Zverev from finding rhythm. Zverev, who is poised to officially assume the top ranking when the next ATP rankings are released, showed visible frustration late in the match. During his service game at 5-6 in the final set, Zverev was penalized with a time violation for excessive ball bouncing but later had the sanction rescinded after disputing the call with umpire Arnaud Gabas.
Despite the on-court tensions, De Minaur maintained focus and took an early lead in the tiebreak, effectively dictating play even after some unforced errors. His disciplined performance ultimately proved decisive against the German.
In the other semifinal earlier in the day, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) to reach the final. De Minaur will now face Alcaraz, a formidable opponent, in the championship match. The encounter promises to be a stern test for the Australian as he seeks what could be the biggest title of his career.