Tennis news - Alex Zverev overcomes earthquake to set up final with Stefanos Tsitsipas in Mexico
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ByEurosport
Updated 20/03/2021 at 13:48 GMT
The two top seeds at Acapulco will compete for the ATP-500 title as Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas both progressed to the final in straight sets in extraordinary conditions. Tsitsipas, who holds a 5-1 head-to-head record over Zverev, will attempt to capture his first ATP 500 trophy. Zverev, meanwhile, will be looking to make it number three.
Zverev overcomes earthquake, Koepfer to set up Tsitsipas final
Alexander Zverev has coped with the pressure of a Grand Slam final and not even an earthquake could jangle the nerves of the German youngster during his Mexican Open semi-final against Dominik Koepfer on Friday.
The 5.7 magnitude quake with an epicentre around 60 kms southeast of San Marcos, a two-hour drive from Acapulco, sent tremors through the stadium for about 30 seconds with Koepfer serving in the opening game of the second set.
"I didn't know what happened. Neither did Dominik," said Zverev, who eased to a 6-4 7-6(5) victory.
"We just heard the crowd. I guess the lights started shaking and the crowd felt it more than we did,"
"We were running around the court, so we had to play a point during the earthquake. We didn't feel much, but still obviously I know it happens here in Acapulco. I've witnessed it here before, so I guess it's normal.
"Last year we had a similar thing during my match or practice. It was bigger though, because I saw the lights shaking. I didn't see anything today. Everything proved to be stable… I hope everyone is fine at the area that is closest to the earthquake."
Briton Neal Skupski was hoping for a relaxing massage after securing a place in the doubles final alongside brother Ken, but the quake sent him quickly scrambling for his clothing.
"It was really strange," Neal said. "I thought it was some massage technique that he was doing, because the bed was shaking. I just thought it was normal.
"Then an alarm went off on his phone and that's when I thought, 'This is a bit strange.' Then he said, 'We're going to go outside because of an earthquake.' I couldn't put my clothes on quick enough to get out of the building."
TSITSIPAS EASES PAST MUSETTI
In the other men's semi-final, 19-year-old qualifier Lorenzo Musetti's dream run came to end as he fell to a 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in 79 minutes.
"Matches like this are really important and I'm happy to be playing well," said Tsitsipas who is making his Acapulco debut.
"Acapulco has been treating me really well and the fans have been giving me love and support.
We'll definitely see a lot from Lorenzo in the future, he has a wonderful one-handed backhand and creates lots of opportunities. He showed his level this week.
Additional reporting from Reuters.
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