Alexander Zverev suffers a shock defeat to Alex de Minaur in the Vienna Open semi-finals just days before ranking top.
Alexander Zverev experienced his first defeat since securing the men's world number one ranking, falling to Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals of the Vienna Open. The German top seed, who is set to replace Jannik Sinner at the summit of the rankings, lost a hard-fought match in the Austrian capital, according to information published by BBC.
Australian fifth seed De Minaur triumphed with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 scoreline after two hours and thirty minutes of intense tennis. This crucial victory allowed the 27-year-old to leapfrog Spain's Rafael Jodar in the race to qualify for the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals.
Looking ahead to the championship match, De Minaur will face Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz advanced to the final by securing a straight-sets victory against Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev, maintaining his stellar form on the tour, according to information published by BBC.
Alexander Zverev Vienna Open setback
German top seed Alexander Zverev entered the match fresh off securing the upcoming men's world number one ranking. After dropping the opening set, Zverev heavily overpowered De Minaur in the second set to level the match, but ultimately fell short in the decisive tie-break.
With neither player able to create a single break point opportunity during the tense final set, De Minaur held his nerve in the tie-break. The Australian clinched the 4-7 tie-break win to seal the victory and advance to his fourth final of the year.
Alex de Minaur ATP Finals race
Following the thrilling semi-final win, Alex de Minaur expressed immense pride in his tactical execution on the court. He stated that he played on his own terms by going out swinging and executing the right type of tennis.
The victory provides a massive boost for De Minaur, allowing him to overtake Rafael Jodar in the rankings race for the ATP Finals. The 27-year-old will now compete for his second title of the season, following his earlier victory at the Rotterdam Open.
Carlos Alcaraz reaches Vienna final
In the other semi-final clash, Carlos Alcaraz delivered a commanding performance against Daniil Medvedev. The Spanish star secured a 6-4, 7-6 victory over the Russian third seed to reach his fifth final of the year.
The win further extended Alcaraz's remarkable unbeaten run at ATP 500 events to 25 matches. The young Spaniard has not lost a match at this tournament level since falling to Holger Rune at the Barcelona Open in April 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who beat Alexander Zverev at the Vienna Open?
Alexander Zverev was defeated by Australian fifth seed Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals of the Vienna Open with a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-7.
Who will Alex de Minaur play in the Vienna Open final?
Alex de Minaur will face Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the final after Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.
When does Alexander Zverev become world number one?
Alexander Zverev officially replaces Jannik Sinner at the summit of the men's tennis rankings on Monday.
What is Alex de Minaur's ranking race status?
By defeating Zverev, Alex de Minaur leapfrogged Rafael Jodar in the race to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals.
