Zverev makes ATP Finals last four

World number three beats Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4; will face Djokovic in semis

TURIN:

Alexander Zverev set up a clash with Novak Djokovic in the last four of the ATP Finals in Turin after a straight sets victory over Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday, while Daniil Medvedev squeezed past local hero Jannik Sinner 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (10-8).

World number three Zverev claimed a spot in the semis behind already-qualified Medvedev, winning 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour, and will face Djokovic on Saturday for a place in the final.

The 24-year-old hit 22 winners and made only eight unforced errors compared to 20 by Hurkacz, who had an uphill battle to win after a dreadful opening set.

"It wasn't easy mentally because I knew I had to win in order to go to the semi-finals... I'm happy to be through in straight sets," Zverev said.

Zverev looked set to qualify in short order after sweeping to the first set in just 26 minutes with a dominating display of tennis.

Seventh seed Hurkacz won just nine points in the opening set as Zverev charged to the first four games before serving out to take a quick lead.

However Hurkacz unloaded his powerful serve to put the brakes on his opponent, rattling off 10 aces in the second set to grab a foothold in the match until finally losing his serve in game nine to leave Zverev with his chance to strike.

He made no mistake by winning his serve and ensuring a clash with Djokovic at the weekend.

Zverev's victory meant that Thursday evening's match between Medvedev and Sinner was a dead rubber, with the Italian alternate denied a chance to make it out of the Red Group before he took to the Pala Alpitour court.

However that didn't stop him putting on a show for his fans in the stands despite eventually falling to a tight defeat after two and a half hours to end his first participation in the Finals.

"I think if the season had gone on a bit longer he would have had a chance to come here straight, rather than as an alternate," said Medvedev.

"Hopefully next time if I win I can make it just a little bit shorter because I put on a show but I want to rest a little bit."