Alexander Zverev is through to his 12th Masters 1000 final and the second at the Paris Masters. World no. 3 defeated the 2022 Paris champion Holger Rune 6-3, 7-6 in an hour and 46 minutes, moving to his 36th ATP final and seeking the 23rd title. Zverev defeated Rune for the third time from as many duels this season, delivering his 65th ATP win of the season and matching world no. 1 Jannik Sinner in that segment. Also, the German is the eighth player with 12 Masters 1000 finals, battling for the seventh title and second of the season. Alexander clinched the opener with a single break and served for the win at 5-4 in the second set. Holger pulled the break back and extended the battle before falling in the tie break, ending his campaign and losing chances to qualify for the ATP Finals.
Alexander Zverev & Holger Rune, Paris Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
What led Alexander toward a victory over Holger?
Both players landed nine aces, and world no. 3 played better behind the first and second serve. Alexander lost 17 points in 11 games, defending two of three break points and pressuring his rival to follow those numbers. Holger struggled behind the second serve but gave his best to prevail, playing against five break points and losing serve two times. Zverev tamed his strokes nicely and hit 25 winners and 20 unforced errors. Rune stood on a 26-27 ratio, hitting more service winners but losing ground from the baseline and at the net. Despite hitting fewer unreturned serves, Alexander had the upper hand in the shortest range up to four strokes. The Dane responded in the mid-range ones but trailed in the most advanced exchanges.
Holger Rune, Paris Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Zverev tops Rune in the middle of the opening set
Alexander started the battle with a hold at 30 in the first game of the duel after forcing the rival’s mistake. The 2022 champion hit a double fault in the second game and experienced a break point. Holger painted a T line with his serve, landing an ace and avoiding an early setback. The German held in the third game with an ace and created a break chance in the next one after the Dane’s loose forehand. Rune played a loose backhand, losing serve and falling 3-1 behind. The younger player had a chance to pull it back in the next one, welcoming the rival’s forehand error and generating two break points.
Alexander saved them with forced errors and held after over eight minutes, cementing the break and forging a 4-1 advantage. Holger grabbed the sixth game after a lucky net cord winner before world no. 2 secured the next one at love for 5-2. The 21-year-old served to stay in the set in the eighth game and held at love to prolong the battle. However, Zverev landed a powerful serve at 5-3 for three set points and drew the opponent’s mistake on the second, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 45 minutes.
Alexander Zverev, Paris Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
Alexander squanders the advantage in the second set but prevails
The returners stood no chance in the opening six games of the second set, remaining neck and neck. The German held at love in the second game with a service winner before the Dane landed an ace in the next one for a 2-1 advantage. The 2020 finalist clinched the fourth game after the rival’s wayward backhand, and the winner from two years ago landed another ace a few minutes later for a 3-2 lead. Feeling no pressure behind the initial shot, world no. 3 closed the sixth game with a winner at the net, sending the pressure back to his opponent. After dropping four points in the previous five service games, Holger struggled behind the initial shot in the seventh game.
Alexander landed a deep return and caused the rival’s mistake for three break chances. Zverev claimed an extended rally on the second, landing a forehand winner at the net and delivering a break that sent him 4-3 in front. The German held at love in the eighth game with a service winner, forging the Dane to serve to stay in the match. Holger grabbed the ninth game with a volley winner and had one last chance to prolong the battle. Alexander faced only two break points since the beginning of the duel, and it all changed when he served for the win at 5-4.
Alexander Zverev, Paris Masters 2024 © Stream screenshot
Zverev faced a break point after a loose forehand and got broken after netting a volley, bringing Rune back to the positive side. Holger saved a break point in the 11th game with a fine drop shot and a volley, holding after six deuces and opening a 6-5 advantage. Alexander held in the 12th game with a drive-volley winner, introducing a tie break. World no. 3 clinched a mini-break in the first point with a smash winner at the net and landed two direct points on serve for 3-0. Holger missed a routine forehand at 2-3 and fell 5-2 behind after a forced error. The Dane missed a forehand in the ninth point, experiencing another mini-break and offering the German three match points. Zverev sealed the deal with crafty volleys on the second, moving over the top in style and reaching his 12th Masters 1000 final at 27.
